Vänskap för pengar? Barns syn på konsumtion, i tre skilda bostadsområden

Abstract

The aim with this study was to investigate children’s perception of the meaning of consumption, in different social groups, and to what extent these perceptions vary. Such knowledge is highly important in
order to understand children’s social life in a consumption society and, more generally, for understanding contemporary childhood. In total, 49 Swedish children aged 9, from three different schools, were
interviewed in focus groups, using a projective vignette technique and pictures. The children were asked
if and how children in general could gain new friends through material possessions and money. The
result demonstrates that most children expressed a materialistic way of thinking where consumption
was seen as useful in order to gain recognition, status and inclusion. However, besides the similarities,
some minor local differences seemed to exist between the schools.