The Myth of Failed Integration: The Case of Eastern O slo

In this article we examine the dominant assumptions that immigrant youth living in the working‐class suburban areas in O slo, N orway are marginalized and angry. We argue that there is no proof that immigrants living in the O slo suburbs are alienated from society. Nor do we see any indications of some form of mobilization among this group. This dominant assumption is linked to a larger misperception about “ghettos” in O slo. The idea, that there are “immigrant ghettos” in O slo, has similarities with, and draws on public debates about “immigrants” in other E uropean cities and a broader international scholarly discourse. In this paper we show that teenagers and young adults in the most materially deprived areas in O slo are not socially isolated, but actively participate in crucial mainstream institutions and arenas. We show that these youths have ideals, values, and ambitions that closely duplicate those of most N orwegian teenagers and young adults. We conclude therefore, that the young people labeled as “immigrants” are not only integral members of N orwegian society, but co‐producers of it.