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I dagens samhälle finns en allmänt negativ inställning till klimakteriet som grundar sig i genusnormer. Majoriteten av de metoder som finns för att behandla klimakteriebesvär är medicinska och de personer som av olika anledningar inte använder dem lämnas utan alternativ.Den här studien undersökte hur produktdesign kan användas för att underlätta klimakteriebesvär och samtidigt synliggöra klimakteriet. Syftet var att synliggöra klimakteriet och genom det bidra till en positiv inställning till det. Det konkreta målet var att ta fram ett förslag på en produkt som i största möjliga mån uppnår syftet. Studien vilar på en teoretisk grund av genusvetenskap, historisk syn på gynekologin och kvinnosyn, normkritik, normkreativitet samt normkreativ- och användarcentrerad design. Den empiriska insamlingen bestod huvudsakligen av intervjuer och diskussioner med representanter för målgruppen (personer med klimakteriebesvär) samt undersökningar av den befintliga marknaden för klimakterieprodukter och varför den ser ut som den gör.Studiens slutsats visar att en produkt som ska kunna underlätta klimakteriebesvär och samtidigt synliggöra klimakteriet måste uppfylla tre kriterier; underlätta besvären rent praktiskt, vara uppseendeväckande samt vara något som målgruppen är bekväm med att använda bland folk. Den produkt som har tagits fram i den här studien ses enbart som ett av många möjliga lösningsförslag då det inte finns ett korrekt svar på hur en klimakterieprodukt kan se ut eller fungera. Genom att se bortom de normer som vanligtvis styr hur klimakteriebesvär behandlas går det att ta fram nya innovativa alternativ. / Due to gender norms, the general attitude towards menopause in today’s society is negative. The majority of available methods to ease menopause symptoms are medical alternatives and the ones who choose not to use those, for different reasons, are left without an option.This study examined how product design can be used to ease menopausal related problems and contribute to put focus on menopause. The purpose was to make menopause more visible and by that contribute to a positive attitude towards it. The overarching goal was to develop a proposal for a product achieving that. The study relies on a theoretical foundation of gender studies, a historical view of gynecology and perception of women, norm criticism, norm creativity, norm creative design and human-centered design. The empirical evidence consisted mainly of interviews and discussions with representatives from the target group (people with menopausal related problems) and market research of existing menopausal products.The conclusion of the study shows that for making it possible for a product to both ease menopausal problems and make menopause more visible it needs to fulfil three criteria; in a way practically ease the symptoms, be eye-catching and be something the target group are comfortable using around other people. The product that has been developed in this study is only to be considered as one of many possible solutions since there is no correct answer to how a menopausal product should look or function. By moving beyond the norms, that usually control how menopausal problems are treated, it is possible to develop new and innovative alternatives.

Background: In South Africa (SA), women with breast cancer (BC) present to the health care system at advanced stages of the disease, resulting in poor prognosis. Limited awareness of the disease, large distances to health care centers, and lack of affordable transportation have all been implicated as factors delaying presentation. In addition, women in SA have limited social and financial independence, which may make it difficult for them to resolve their own health care needs. Despite this, little is known about what South African male partners know about breast cancer and what role they play in their partner’s access to health care. Methods: This interpretive qualitative case study, guided by the theoretical framework of hegemonic masculinity(ies), used semi-structured interviews to investigate perceptions and knowledge of BC and gender norms in regards to health care access in a group of black South African males (n=20) in long-term heterosexual relationships living in a resource-poor setting. Interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis and compared to observational data collected through opportunities with local BC organizations. Results: Participants demonstrated very little knowledge of breast cancer and cancer in general. Some specific misconceptions about cancer are reported, including confusion between cancer and HIV. Participants were positive about receiving health care for cancer but are burdened by barriers to reaching care and a lack of access to information about the disease. The men describe themselves as playing an active, mostly positive role in their partner’s access to health care. They demonstrate perspectives about gender relations that defy hegemonic forms of masculinity. Conclusions: Major public health efforts are required to increase awareness of BC in order to encourage earlier presentation to the healthcare system. These efforts should recognize the importance of the male partner in women’s health issues. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / In South Africa, women with breast cancer often do not reach the conventional healthcare system until the disease has progressed significantly and chances of survival are poor. This occurs because of a lack of knowledge about the disease and large distances to health care centers. Furthermore, in the male-dominated society of South Africa, women have limited independence. Therefore, this study sought to determine what men in South African know about breast cancer and how they are involved in their partner’s access to health care. Interviews were conducted with 20 men living in a resource-poor setting. The men portrayed little knowledge and specific misconceptions about breast cancer and cancer in general. They appear to be playing an active and mostly positive role in their partner’s access to health care. Public health efforts should increase awareness of the disease and recognize the significant role of the male partner in women’s health issues.

According to the State of the Nation’s Housing (Harvard, 2005) more than one in five homebuyers is a single woman and twice as many unmarried women as unmarried men are buying homes. Notably unmarried women make up more than one-third of the growth in real estate ownership since 1994. The purpose of this study was to examine this cultural phenomenon. Utilizing an interpretative qualitative paradigm, in-depth interviews, social identity and reason action theories, this research explored the social, psychological, and symbolic meanings single, never-married, women in their 30s and 40s attributed to home buying as well as the design and purchasing behaviors they displayed. In an effort to create and refine the questionnaire for this research, a five participant pilot study was conducted in southwestern Virginia. The main body of this work consisted of 12 in-depth interviews and included six participants from southwestern Virginia, five participants from northern Virginia and one from western Pennsylvania. The average age of the participants was 39.5 years, with a range of 29 – 48 years. In total, 21 themes emerged in this study: 18 were strongly supported and mentioned by at least 50%, or six of the twelve, dissertation participants, while three received moderate support and were discussed by at least 25%, or three of the twelve, respondents. The themes were further divided into the following categories: behavioral themes which answer the question of the how women approach the buying process; behavioral themes which answer the question of what women buy, psychological themes which answer the question of why single women buy; social themes which promote a sense of security or stability; and social themes which promote a sense of isolation. The findings of this study can be used to enhance the residential construction industry and to assist housing professionals who routinely interact with female homebuyers. In addition, these findings suggest the continued need for home-buyer education and further research. / Ph. D.

Med bakgrund i hur normer om genus och arbete kan orsaka ojämlikhet på arbetsmarknaden fördjupar sig denna studie i Norrbotten som plats. Syftet är att undersöka hur kommunala arbetsmarknadsenheter i Norrbotten utmanar eller återskapar strukturell ojämlikhet på arbetsmarknaden. Med teoretiska perspektiv på klass, arbete, genus och spatialitet tar begrepp som den ideala arbetaren, könande och ojämlikhetsregimer fasta på hur ojämlikhetkan utmanas eller reproduceras inom dessa organisationer. För att svara på syftet har en fallstudie bestående av tre kommunala arbetsmarknadsenheter i Norrbotten undersökts genom åtta enskilda, semistrukturerade intervjuer med chefer och personal. Kommunerna benämns i studien utifrån deras lokala förutsättningar som Gränskommun, Kustkommun och Inlandskommun. Resultatet visar att de kommunala arbetsmarknadsenheterna har möjlighet att utmana strukturella ojämlikheter på arbetsmarknaden. Exempelvis har personalen möjlighet att se individen bortom sociala kategoriseringar, vilket gör att de kan erbjuda insatser som inte bygger på stereotypa normer utan i stället vad individen säger sig vilja arbeta med. Det visar sig även att arbetsmarknadsenheterna förhåller sig till lokala arbetsmarknadsförutsättningar eftersom verksamheternas mål handlar om att ge deltagarna progression mot arbete. Därmed beskrivs i vissa fall en svår balansgång mellan individens och arbetsmarknadens behov, där för mycket fokus på arbetsmarknadens behov riskerar att reproducera ojämlikhet på arbetsmarknaden. Vidare forskning om aktiveringspolitik föreslås därför fokusera på fler sociala kategorier utöver kön och klass, exempelvis etnicitet. Detta skulle kunna synliggöra på vilket sätt ojämlikhet riskerar att reproduceras i samtidens gröna samhällsutveckling. / Based on how norms about gender and work can cause inequality in the labor market, this study delves into Norrbotten as a place. The aim is to investigate how municipal labour market units in Norrbotten challenge or contribute to structural inequality in the labour market. With theoretical perspectives on class, work, gender and spatiality, concepts such as the ideal worker, gendering and inequality regimes address how inequality can be challenged or reproduced within these organizations. To answer the purpose, a case study consisting of three municipal labour market units in Norrbotten has been investigated through eight individual, semi-structured interviews with managers and staff. The municipalities are named in the study based on their local conditions as Border Municipality, Coastal Municipality and Inland Municipality. The results show that the municipal labour market units have the opportunity to challenge structural inequalities in the labour market. For example, the staff have the opportunity to see the individual beyond social categorizations, which means that they can offer interventions based on what the individual wants to work with, and not stereotypical norms. It also turns out that the labour market units relate to local labour market conditions because the goal of the activities is to give the participants progression towards work. In some cases, this describes a difficult balancing act between the needs of the individual and the needs of the labour market, where too much focus on the needs of the labour market risks reproducing inequality in the labour market. Further research on activation policies is therefore proposed to focus on more social categories in addition to gender and class, such as ethnicity. This could highlight the way in which inequality risks being reproduced in today's green transition. / <p>2024-05-30</p>

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / No abstract provided.

Gender equality is an emerging field in conflict studies, but so far research has mainly focused on the onset of conflict. However, strong correlations between low levels of gender equality and the risk for conflict has been found, which gives encouragement for further research. Other fields have explored the field of gender equality more extensively, and has for example found relationships between attitudes towards gender equality and the prevalence of violence in personal relationships. Building on those findings, this thesis attempts to advance the field of gender equality in conflict studies by examining how attitudes towards gender equality affects the dynamics of violence during conflicts, with the hypothesised relationship that more positive attitudes towards gender equality results in lower levels of violence. This is done through a statistical study of 172 selected cases from different regions and with different ideologies. The suggested mechanism for this relationship is that of traditional gender norms, and in particular traditional ideals of masculinity which are closely associated with violence. While not lending strong support for the all the hypothesised relationship, the results gives some reason for optimism for future research.

Inledning: Psykisk ohälsa är ett växande samhällsproblem, där pojkar är överrepresentativa i självmordsstatistiken. Maskulinitetsnormer kan ha negativa konsekvenser för pojkars sätt att uttrycka psykisk ohälsa. Forskning påvisar att pojkar enbart söker hjälp om deras problem är så pass varaktiga och desperata att de inte ser någon annan utväg. Syfte: Undersöka hur maskulinitet och könsnormer hindrar pojkar (10–25 år) från att söka hjälp för psykisk ohälsa. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie, baserad på 10 vetenskapliga originalartiklar med kvalitativ metod (fokusgrupper och individuella intervjuer). Datainsamling har skett via CINAHL, Academic Search Elite och WorldCat Discovery. Resultatet har analyserats med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Resultatet tyder på att maskulinitetsnormer i hög utsträckning begränsar pojkar från att söka hjälp för psykisk ohälsa. Faktorer som var avgörande var stigmatisering, rädsla för konfrontation och hantera känslomässiga svårigheter. Det framkom kunskapsbrist kring psykisk ohälsa och tröskeln för att söka hjälp var hög. Pojkar undviker i hög utsträckning psykiska problem genom olika externa strategier. Slutsats: Maskulinitetsnormer har negativ inverkan på pojkars psykiska ohälsa och är ett hinder till att pojkar inte söker hjälp. Även strukturella faktorer framkom som ett hinder. Maskulinitetsnormer är påtagliga och påverkar pojkars syn på sin egen och andras psykiska ohälsa. Förståelse för hur pojkar uttrycker och upplever psykisk ohälsa och vilka begränsningar för att söka hjälp är viktiga att förstå för att uppnå en jämlik vårdkedja. Metoder kring normbrytande strategier bör prioriteras, samt involvera pojkar i förändrings- och utvecklingsarbetet. Forskning bör även fokusera på att fördjupa kunskaper inom aktuell kontext för att kunna generalisera resultaten. / Introduction: Mental illness is a growing problem, where boys are overrepresented in the suicide statistics. Masculinity norms can have negative consequences for boys' way of expressing mental illness. Research suggests that boys only seek help if their problems are so long lasting and desperate that they don’t see any other way out. Purpose: To investigate how masculinity and gender norms prevent boys (age 10–25) from seeking help for mental illness. Method: A systematic literature review, based on 10 scientific original articles with qualitative method (focus groups and individual interviews). Datacollection took place in CINAHL, Academic Search Elite and WorldCat Discovery. The result has been analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Result: The result suggests that masculinity norms restrict boys from seeking help for mental illness. Factors that were decisive were stigmatization, fear of confrontation, and dealing with emotional difficulties. There was a lack of knowledge about mental illness and the threshold for seeking help was high. Boys avoid psychological problems through different external strategies. Conclusion: Masculinity norms have a negative impact on boys' mental illness and are an obstacle to boys not seeking help. Even structural factors emerged as an obstacle. Masculinity norms are tangible and affect boys' view of their own and others mental illness. Understanding how boys express and experience mental illness and limitations to seeking help are important to understand in order to achieve an equal healthcare. Methods regarding norm breaking strategies should be prioritized, as well as involving boys in the change and development. Research should also focus on deepening knowledge within the current context in order to be able to generalize the results.

This essay is focused on gender issues in the film The Kissing Booth directed by Vince Marcello and how it can be used in a Swedish EFL classroom to problematize the stereotypical portrayals of the main characters. Since film is readily available for people in the Western world, including young students, it is important to teach them to be mindful of how media content can influence people in different ways. Even though the movie challenges some gender norms at first glance, an application of the Bechdel test shows that The Kissing Booth actually strengthens the Western world's traditional representation of gender. Because gender was mostly viewed as a binary correlated to sex before, it is easy to stay within those restrictive ways when creating and depicting characters in film. However, theorists have found that gender is not innate but performative and if it is not depicted as such in mainstream media, it may uphold outdated notions of gender and prevent changes in attitudes needed for a more inclusive society. Modern events, such as the Me Too movement, also indicate that there is a need for more conversations about these issues.

This thesis investigates the affects of the French Revolution of 1789 and the Mexican Revolution of 1910 on gender roles in their respective societies. Women that contributed to political discourse challenged separations of public and private spheres, which dictated order in the late and postrevolutionary periods of France and Mexico. Given the deliberate acts by both postrevolutionary governments to send women to the periphery of their respective societies, it is vital to revisit the examples of female influence that shaped the early French and Mexican Revolutions. The understanding that comes from a detailed analysis of the parameters of gendered spaces before, during, and after revolution sheds light on the relationships between order and gender that determined the future of women in their respective postrevolutionary worlds.