‘Still Stood Adamant and Strong to Chase My Dream’: Sense of Identity and Resilience among Hazara Youth following Childhood Experiences of Forced Migration

Abstract

This article explores the interaction between the identity [re]construction, experiences of resilience and the sociocultural context of young Hazaras from refugee backgrounds. We conducted a qualitative study involving fifteen in-depth interviews combined with visual elements. Results demonstrate that meaning-making and a personal sense of resilience were core elements of participants’ positive sense of identity. Finding a middle ground between Hazara and Australian identity and developing a sense of belonging were sites of struggle for participants. We discuss how Hazara youth identities were [re] constructed through their sense of agency and opportunities provided in Australia.