This thesis investigates how gender norms are reproduced and/or challenged in Swedish reality-TV. Using Mästarnas Mästare, a reality game show featuring Swedish athletes, as a case study, we critically examine the gender performances of participating athletes as well as the production of the show. The data material consisted of six transcribed episodes, alongside freeze frames from selected scenes, which were analyzed through a theoretical frame based on feminism, gender studies and semiotic image analysis. Our findings suggest that each participant, as well as the production, reproduce and challenge gender norms throughout the show, though there is more evidence of how the participants do this than the production. Notably, female participants challenge gender norms through performing stereotypical male characteristics, whereas male participants not as frequently show stereotypical female characteristics. We argue that the thesis provides tools for viewers as well as producers of similar shows to more critically review material that they take part of.

This thesis investigates the notions of military masculinities in the gender training of the Nordic Centre of Gender in Military Operations (NCGM). Military masculinities are argued to create problematic gender norms that value men and devalue women. Therefore, there is a need to see if NCGM does reinforce or construct these gender norms into their training. The masculine norms are constructed as a dichotomy to the female norms, giving traits such as men being protectors and women the protected, and men being perpetrators and women being victims. The study is carried out through a qualitative text analysis of publications found on NCGM’s website. The analysis examines the extent of military masculine traits in their publications, and how these traits are depicted. The results show that NCGM is aware of the gender stereotypes of military masculinities, but they still do depict men and women in stereotypical feminine and masculine roles.

The aim of our paper is to examine from a sociological perspective the consequences women experience in their work in male-dominated occupations. We also want to examine different expectations placed on women in a male-dominated workplace and how these women in turn experience their professional role. Finally, we want to find out how these women view their leisure time and how it has a connection to their choice of profession. We have used qualitative interviews where eight women aged 20-50 were interviewed. Being questioned, tested all the time and placed in a union was of great importance in how the respondents experienced themselves in their male-dominated profession. The respondents have used different approaches to be able to prevent this. These included behaving more "boyishly" in order to be accepted by the male colleagues, trying to keep up with the "guys'" jokes as it is easier to have it and do with the men and to be tough. With the help of various theories and concepts, we have gained a broader perspective in the area we have investigated. We have chosen Yvonne Hirdman's theory of gender systems to gain a deeper understanding of the power structure that organizes the relationship between the sexes. We also delve into Judith Butler's theory of the heterosexual matrix, where masculinity is to express man and femininity is to express woman. Finally, we have chosen Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgical sociology, which is important in Goffman's thinking about appearances that an individual presents in front of a group of observers where the observers also have an impact on the individual.

Previous research has shown that many couple relationships strive towards a moreequal relationship through negotiations within the household. However, this has beendictated when it comes to heterosexual relationships. The purpose of this study is to getan explanation of how male couples in relationships within a household navigate theirway through everyday life with an emphasis on household tasks and unpaid work. Thedata in the study has been gathered through a qualitative research method where nineinterviews have been conducted, four of which were couple interviews and five weresingle interviews. Our empirical data are analyzed on the basis of the theoreticalframework and concepts that we present in this study and should clarify howhomosexual men do or deviate from doing gender, with an emphasis on negotiationwithin the household. A definition of the concepts of sex and gender is made to clarify the differencebetween them. The theories used in this study are thoroughly explained in the studyand are as follows: Gender roles, gender-creating theory (doing gender theory), gendercontracts and gender order. Based on our interviewees, we can conclude that the vastmajority of homosexual men who was interviewed had conducted a formal negotiationwhether the negotiation took place before the relationship began or at the beginning.The majority of our interviewees also made gender by imitating the heterosexual scriptand creating categorization of male and female tasks to make the division morerecognizable and socially ingrained.

Although U.S. breastfeeding rates have steadily increased since 2000, there continues to be a disparity in breastfeeding rates for African American (AA) women compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. A male partner's perception, specifically his positive attitude toward breastfeeding, may influence breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. This study was an exploration of AA male perceptions and attitudes toward breastfeeding and what effect masculinity ideology (gender norms) has on such attitudes. The socio-ecological model (SEM) was used as the theoretical framework to examine the various environmental levels that intersect with one another to influence these attitudes. A mixed methods study design, using (a) an online survey combining the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS) and the Male Role Norms Scales (MRNS) (N =206) and (b) 3 focus group sessions (N = 17), was used to collect data. African American men ages 18 and older were eligible to participate in the study. Results of the regression analysis showed a negative correlation between positive breastfeeding attitudes and traditional masculinity ideology. Nvivo analysis of focus group transcripts revealed themes of gender norms, knowledge of breastfeeding, and public opinions. The themes from the focus groups were categorized using the 4 levels of the SEM: Individual, Relationships, Community, and Societal; themes corresponded with Levels 1 (Individual) and 4 (Societal) of the SEM. These results indicate that a gender-transformative approach may be used to strengthen breastfeeding-promotion interventions targeting AA males. The positive social change implications of this research include a paradigm shift in views on gender norms and increased engagement of men in decisions that affect infant and child health and development.

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The study aims to answer the question of whether fashion can communicate meaning, by addressing how creators on Instagram challenge dominant gender norms through fashion, with a focus on the activist movement of #DeGenderFashion. The research questions will be answered using fashion theory and gender theory as guiding points, with literature on social media activism, representations of gender, and cultural studies giving further insight into the dynamics of the movement. Data has been collected from the hashtag #DeGenderFashion, created by social media personality Alok Vaid-Menon in 2019, using the algorithmic function of Instagram to provide the most relevant posts for analysis. After applying a set of criteria to limit the data to create a coherent data set, a visual analysis with an interpretive paradigm and inductive approach was applied. One of the main findings is the influence of patriarchal systems on gender expression, with the movement being led by male and non-binary individuals. However, feminine and androgynous styles are most common, highlighting how non-female individuals strive to adopt feminine fashion into their wardrobes, and breaking the patriarchal stigma surrounding feminine styles. The results of the study further imply that gender specificity in object design is an outdated concept, with the styles featured in the data sample oftentimes combining elements from across the gender spectrum with each other, creating a new fluid visual identity. The study implies that gender specificity in fashion is an artificial concept, urging the fashion industry to become more inclusive by catering to a wider range of bodies.

We live in a normality that benefits a culture of patriarchy and despite resistance it's still over powering and oppressing others by placing concerns of men first in aspects of all important fields of life like social, economic, cultural, academic and medical. The norms of a patriarchal society tend to have specific expectations towards gender, and people who do not follow them are prone to feel invalidated, rejected, and oppressed. This is especially true for those who do not fit into these norms or who want to challenge that discrimination. Border/ave is a project formed in a close collaboration between Lauretta Kubbi and Jaanika Malla whose intent is to make a change with narrated poetry, visualisation and materialisation as an artist book that presents difficulties experienced by a woman with borderline personality disorder. The project questions to which extent Border/ave can make a change by showcasing that our current patriarchal norm in a society suppresses physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally many, but especially women with mental disorders.

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