Den komplexa hemlösheten En kritisk diskursanalys av hur hemlöshet framställs i media

Abstract

In this study we aim to investigate the media's portrayal of homelessness in Sweden. The purpose is to discover different portraits and dominating discourses in the construction of homelessness. The study focuses analyzing the portraits and discourses produced about homelessness through a critical discourse analysis. The media chosen for examination in this study is Aftonbladet and Dagens Nyheter. The empirical material consisted of 20 articles, 10 from each newspaper, published 2020 - 2021. The study’s methodology frame consists of the critical discourse analysis method, in particular Fairclough’s three-dimensional analysis model. The theories of social constructionism and critical discourse theory were used to analyze our data. The overall result of the study indicates a complex portrayal of homelessness, and a heterogeneous group of individuals living in homelessness. We found a tendency to explain homelessness as a structural problem. A dominant discourse was “the others”, where people in homelessness are presented in contrast to the ordinary population. The second discourse was “the need of change” discourse where ways to combat and prevent homelessness were discussed. Our results reveal a complex picture of homelessness which motivates for further research regarding the social construction of homelessness.