| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the thoughts of Sámi parents on traditional Sámi child-rearing in a constantly changing society. The study has the following research question: To what extent are traditional Sámi child-rearing practices maintained and applied among Sámi families in a constantly changing society?
The purpose of the study has been to gain insight into whether Sámi parents use and maintain traditional child-rearing methods, and whether they see the purpose and value of passing them on to future generations. Studies show that there has been significant concern about Sámi child-rearing over the past 20-30 years. To answer my research question, I collected qualitative data through six semi-structured interviews with parents who are raising or have raised children in a Sámi core area. The study has a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, were the experiences and opinions of the parents form the basis of the study.
The study’s results show that most of my informants continuously work to pass on traditions, traditional knowledge, and language, and they are enthusiastic users of both storytelling, balddáhallan (scaring), and nárrideapmi (good-natured teasing). It appears that my informants view traditional child-rearing methos as important tools in raising their children, and they see the value in passing them on to future generations. Despite the fact that the Sámi have undergone a long period of assimilation for the Norwegian government, they still manage to fight to preserve the traditional knowledge and language found in the various traditional practices. Some of the informants express concern about the future society regarding government decisions that affect the Sámi and their traditional practices.
The study concludes that traditional Sámi child-rearing is still important and relevant for my informants, and that they work continuously to maintain the traditional practices. However, the wounds from the assimilation politics has not been allowed to heal, as they are constantly reopened by new government decisions and legislations, and from the stat’s “intruders”, as described in one of my interviews. | |
