Unge innvandrermenn, kriminalitet og kjønnskultur

Abstract

Considerable differences regarding gender relations exist between the native Norwegian population and immigrants. The article raises the question whether such differences may influence criminal acts commited by some young, male immigrants. Based upon a discussion of the difficulties of a cultural explanation, the author argues that these young men's attitudes and practices regarding gender performance and relations cannot be seen as deriving from their parents, but should be understood as a new response to a new and complex situation. Stressing honour, comradeship and the male body as a force , these new subcultural expressions have much in common with other male working-class cultures, and may be as influenced by contemporary American youth cultures as by Pakistani or Turkish village cultures.