Places to belong? Narrating childhood(s) and the coast as a home across three generations in a community of islands

Abstract

Coastal societies are characterized by being in transition with regard to economies, work, demography, and social–cultural life. Based on life biographies across three generations, we explore childhood and the coast as a home, tracing experienced changes as these are narrated from today back to 1945. The site of investigation is a coastal community in Norway, transformed from being a traditional homogenous fishing community until early 1970s, to an ethnically diverse society today with booming fish farming industry. Findings reveal a continuum of belonging between different families, illuminating significant social differentiation and inequalities. Home making and belonging are diverse and complex relational processes, embedded in the dynamics between global–local discourses. Contemporary youth is positioned, constrained and enabled by their various relational histories in choices related to homemaking and belonging.