Recognition through Redistribution: Experiences of Recognition among Working-Class Youth

• In Event: Sociology of Culture Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): 13. Race & Class Politics

Abstract

This paper studies the experiences of societal and political recognition among working-class young people. Recognition is defined following the theoretical work by Axel Honneth and Michele Lamont. Data comprises of 40 semi-structured interviews conducted in Finland in Spring 2025. Data is analyzed with symbolic boundaries techniques. The results show that the interviewees associate their experiences of recognition with financial rewards and income distribution. The results are discussed in the light of both theory of recognition and the existing literature concerning the dignity of working-class people.

Author

• Jarmo Kallunki