A qualitative study of the understanding among residents of vulnerable neighborhoods of those factors that attract migrant youth into illegal activities

The purpose of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions, among the inhabitants of socially vulnerable areas, of the various factors that make immigrant youth participate in criminal activities. The essay is a qualitative case study with semi-structured interviews, each respondent hailing from a particular vulnerable area of Sweden. The data was processed in a thematic analysis which was then divided into different themes. The study begins with an introduction informing the reader of what to expect ahead as well as background information on vulnerable areas, criminal activity, and newcomers. The collected data has been analyzed theoretically with the help of Hirschi's social bond theory, Becker's labeling theory and Merton's strain theory. The results show that young immigrants choose to participate in illegal activities due to various factors. According to the respondents, the factors can be anything from housing situation, living conditions, financial resources and others that empower them to commit crimes. The norms and values that immigrant youth have are unlike established social norms and for this reason they are regarded as deviants and feel excluded from the majority society. Immigrant young people experience strain from an early age as they attempt to establish themselves and enjoy a similar level and standing as other Swedes