Engelsk titel: "Focus on the young ones": Discourses on substance abuse and age
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Författare:
Selseng, Lillian Bruland
Email: lillian.bruland@hisf.no
Språk: Eng
Antal referenser: 53
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 15083200
Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND & AIMS - Previous research has shown that age categories play a vital part in the
decision-making processes of counsellors in substance abuse services, yet very little is known
about how the meanings of "age" and "substance abuse" are constructed and intertwined. This article
aims to provide insights into the dynamic relationship between discourses on age and substance
abuse. It explores the narratives of a group of counsellors on age and substance abuse, and looks at
the subject positions this intersection produces.
DESIGN - The data material consists of interviews with 23 counsellors working for the Norwegian
Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). The analysis is inspired by discourse psychology and
intersectional and poststructuralist approaches.
FINDINGS - Three positions are constructed: "the vulnerable youth", "the formative youth" and "the
agentic adult". The article illustrates how the subject positions reinforce a "focus on the young ones"
discourse. Findings are discussed against the background of the concept of ageism.
CONCLUSION - The article highlights the significance of examining categories such as "substance
abuse" and "age" as dynamic and contextual phenomena. It points out the significance of continually
being aware of the influence age categories have in the process of differentiating and categorising
substance abusers in social services.