The present master thesis on "Refugee children in Upper Styria" is concerned with the situation of asylum seekers' children living in rural areas of Upper Styria. In order to approach the topic, essential terminology and the legal framework relevant for asylum seekers and their children in Austria are outlined and discussed. In more detail, the way refugee children in Styria are treated will be discussed focusing on housing, assistance, education and the employment market. Secondly, the particular conditions and specific characteristics related to housing, family, social participation, health, religion, language and education are identified on the basis of current literature and previous research outcomes. Seven research questions are formulated and represent the starting point for a more in-depth discussion of the empirical research in the third part of this paper. These are the basis of the problem-centred interviews led with six refugee children and two of their parents. Moreover, an important share of the data has been derived from viewing the respective places of residence of the children. On the basis of said interviews and the viewing, data was collected for the following categories: everyday life, living conditions, social participation, scope of action, health, living in Austria and sources of help and support. These categories reflect the content of the research questions. The data is analysed by means of a qualitative content analysis using the MaxQda computer programme. Fourthly, a summary and an interpretation of the main outcomes led by the research questions and in relation to previous theoretical knowledge are presented. |