Keeping apart on the playground: construction of informal segregation on public playgrounds in multiethnic neighborhoods

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Paajanen, P., Seppälä, T., Stevenson, C. ORCID: 0000-0002-2438-6425, Riikonen, R. and Finell, E., 2022. Keeping apart on the playground: construction of informal segregation on public playgrounds in multiethnic neighborhoods. Social Psychology Quarterly. ISSN 0190-2725 (Forthcoming)

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/01902725221116632

Abstract

Informal segregation has been widely studied in various public settings, but not on public playgrounds. Drawing on an eleven-month ethnography among mothers of young children we examine how informal segregation is (re)produced on public playgrounds in two ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Finland. Our findings reveal different normative practices. First, normative rhythms and parenting practices structure playground activities by limiting opportunities for contact between ethnic minority and majority groups and producing exclusive spaces. Second, group norms and the seeking of ethnic/racial in-group members together regulate mothers’ interaction with out-group mothers on playgrounds; mothers are inclined towards their in-group while out-group mothers are often ignored, resulting in only illusory contact. Based on our analysis, we argue that by better understanding the normative roots of segregation, more comprehensive and effective interventions can be designed to facilitate positive contact in this population.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Social Psychology Quarterly

Creators:

Paajanen, P., Seppälä, T., Stevenson, C., Riikonen, R. and Finell, E.

Publisher:

American Sociological Association

Date:

13 June 2022

ISSN:

0190-2725