This Master's Thesis studies the attitude that library employees have regarding a sex and gender-neutral treatment of their clients. The analysis is based upon replies to a questionnaire which was submitted though channels directed at library employees, like BIBLIST and BiblFeed. The respondent’s replies contained a number of welldeveloped comments making the resultant analysis both quantitative and qualitative in nature. In performing the analysis a theoretical framework combining Hirdman’s gender system with symbolic interactionism has been used together with literature about gender roles. The questionnaire showed that gender neutrality is a complex concept that can be interpreted in many different ways and is therefore easily misunderstood. It is obvious that sex is an important category when respondents are dealing with their clients, but also that sex and gender are problematic concepts which respondents find difficult to know exactly how to relate to. A lot of the respondents see a need to address gender issues, but a lot of them also state that gender is a biological concept and therefore impossible or unnecessary to have to relate to. In general, in the replies to the questionnaire availability tops the list over important questions to be addressed in the library while sex and gender have very low priority. My belief is that gender norms are possible to change and that sex and gender issues should be prioritized by virtue of being recognised as an availability issue. It is everybody’s individual fundamental values that together form society’s common fundamental values. If we all put on our gender glasses and are prepared to alter how we treat one another we can, eventually, make sex and gender less important categories and begin to see our clients as individuals.

Målet med föreliggande studie är att belysa den sociala dynamik som kan uppstå under ett arbete med organisationsförändring, som både kan motarbeta och leda förändringen framåt. För att lyckas uppnå syftet och få en större förståelse för människorna och den atmosfär som påverkas har undersökningen främst baserats på observationer av möten och workshops relaterade till organisationsförändringen. Då medarbetarna har varit studiens mest väsentliga källa så har intervjufrågor skickats ut via mail, dessutom har informella samtal kontinuerligt hållts med Uppdragsledaren och Alfa. Den teoretiska referensram som använts vid analysen av den sociala dynamiken har haft sin grund i Giddens struktureringsteori samt teorier relaterade till medarbetarnas motstånd mot organisationsförändringar och ledarskap. Detta teoretiska ramverk har bidragit till en djupare förståelse för sociala srukturer, olika normer, sätt att kommunicera och maktförhållanden inom organisationer. Undersökningen visar, bland annat, att medarbetare behöver motiveras och engageras i organisationsförändringar för att arbetet med förändring ska gå i önskad riktning. Mycket av detta ansvar ligger hos ledaren som medarbetarna måste anse vara legitim och professionell för att de ska lyssna och följa riktlinjer. Samtidigt måste det även finnas en balans mellan hur strikt ledarens riktlinjer bör följas och den frihet medarbetarna ges att kunna fatta egna beslut. De olika maktförhållanden människor har till varandra inom organisationer är inte av central betydelse under arbetet med organisationsförändring, så länge det finns en ömsesidig respekt mellan medarbetarna och en vilja att kommunicera och lyssna till varandras åsikter och kunskaper. / The aim of this study is to emphasize the social dynamics that may arise during a project of organizational change, which can both prevent and lead the change forward. The investigation was mainly based on observations during meetings and workshops related to the change project, to get a better understanding for the people and atmosphere affected by the organizational change. Since the employees were the main focus of this study, questions were sent to the co-workers by mail and interviews were held with the leaders of the project. To be able to analyse the social dynamics the theoretical frame of the study was founded on Gidden’s structuration theory, theories of the co-workers resistance against organizational change and leadership. The theoretical frame contributed to get a deeper understanding for social structures in organizations and its different norms, way of communication and power. The research shows, among other things, that co-workers need to be motivated and engaged in the organizational change for the change to move forward. A lot of this responsibility concerns the leader, who has to be seen as legitimate and professional for the co-workers to be able to listen and take orders. There also has to be a balance between the orders that a leader gives and the freedom the employees have to make their own decisions. People in organizations have different power relations which don’t matter during anorganizational change project as long as there is a mutual respect between the employees and a willingness to communicate and listen to each other’s opinions and knowledge.

The aim of this study was to examine the gender standards of male nurses in women-dominated workplaces. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that influenced the psychosocial working environment of male nurses, based on gender perspectives. To get a wider perception, we also studied social support and expectation from the surrounding linked to previous research on male nurses' working conditions. Our intention was to identify gender-related differences that characterize the occupational role. The method used in the study was qualitative and the empirical material was obtained through semi-structured interviews. We interviewed six male nurses based in different medical departments, all located in Western Sweden's health and medical care. We analyzed the results with a focus on gender norms and its impact on the psychosocial work environment. We used Karasek and Theorell's “Demand-control-and support model” in line with Jeding et al. (1999) psychosocial model “The individual program” as an essential tool to reveal potential explanations. Due to regulations and general advice in Swedish health-and medical care, we chose to neglect the aspect control, since it did not have an impact on the results of the study. The findings of the study are that all male nurses who participated in our interviews were experiencing their psychosocial work environment as highly over-loaded. The results also revealed that there is a difference between a gender aspect, in the profession. The majority of the respondents also confirmed they felt expectations to perform certain duties, based on their gender role. By indicate these social structures, we hope to contribute to an increased understanding of the certain conditions that many gender minorities may get involved with, based on social structures and gender norms.

I Sverige har normerna kring och synen på faderskap länge varit i förändring och idag både eftersträvas och uppmuntras jämställt föräldraskap. Jämställdhet i föräldraskapet mäts ofta kvantitativt och saknar kvalitativa nyanser. Syftet med föreliggande intervjustudie var därför att undersöka pappors upplevelser av jämställdhet i föräldrablivandet för att erhålla bättre förståelse för deras situation och erfarenheter. Nio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes och analyserades tematiskt, vilket resulterade i tre teman: Upplevelse av jämställdhet i omgivningen, Den egna relationen till jämställdhet samt Livet som pappa. Resultatet indikerar att pappor är positivt inställda till jämställt föräldraskap, samtidigt som de kan uppleva både biologiska och samhällsstrukturella hinder i sina ambitioner att vara jämställda. Övervägande beskrevs föräldrablivandet som en omtumlande tid för papporna, präglad främst av glädje och meningsfullhet, men även av utmaningar och stress I konklusion uppmuntras relevanta vårdaktörer att uppmärksamma pappors eventuella behov av stöd och vägledning tidigt i föräldraskapet. / In Sweden the norms regarding and view on fatherhood have long been transforming and today an equal parenting style is both strived for and encouraged. Gender equality in family life is often measured quantitatively and lacks qualitative aspects. The aim of this interview study was therefore to investigate fathers` experiences of gender equality in their transition to fatherhood in order to increase the understanding of their situation and experiences. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed with thematic analysis, which resulted in three themes: Experience of Gender Equality in the environment, One's own relationship to Gender Equality, and Life as a father. The results indicate that the fathers hold a positive attitude towards equal parenting, but can at the same time experience biological and social structural obstacles in their ambitions to be equal. Altogether the transition to parenthood was described by the fathers as an overwhelming time, characterized mostly by happiness and meaningfulness, but also by challenges and stress. In conclusion, healthcare professionals of relevance are encouraged to acknowledge fathers’ potential need of support and guidance in early parenthood.

I en granskning av kvinnorsoch mäns arbetsvillkor framgår att för höga krav och begränsade resurser bidrar till sämre psykisk och fysisk hälsa. Kunskapsläget rörande specifikt kvinnor och män, inom specifika branscher ärdockrelativt oklart. Detrelaterar till att enskilda studierinte studerar sambandet mellan krav och resurser och hälsan separat för kvinnor och män.Syftet med denna studie var attundersöka sociala strukturer och arbetsvillkor för kvinnliga respektive manliga mellanchefer.För att undersöka skillnader i kvinnors och mäns arbetsvillkor genomfördes sjukvalitativa intervjuermed mellanchefer inomkommunal sektor. Skillnaderna förståsgenom undersökning av de sociala strukturer som går att utläsa i arbetsdelningen mellan kvinnor och mänsamt vilka skillnader på krav och resurser som upplevs av kvinnor respektive män. Vidare undersöks hur skillnaderna påverkar arbetsplatshälsan.Det empiriska resultatet visar att sociala strukturer, såsom genusordningenoch socialt konstruerade könsroller påverkar uppfattningen om kvinnligt och manligt beteende.Framställningen av kvinnan ger uttryck för de mönster av dagliga aktivitetersom styr vårt sociala arrangemang.Därmed påverkas uppfattningarna av krav och resurser, de kvantitativa kraven är de mest framträdande och då framförallt hos de kvinnliga respondenterna. De har fler underställda och förväntas varamer känslomässigt involverade. Det i sin tur påverkar den arbetsplatsrelaterade hälsan, tre av fyra kvinnliga respondenter har varit sjukskrivna på grund av stress under sin tid som mellanchef. Genomgående uppmärksammas olikafokus hos de manliga och kvinnliga respondenterna,kvinnornas fokus ligger på mjuka värden i större utsträckning.I jämförelse mellan de kvinnliga och manliga respondenterna går det att utläsa att kraven är större på kvinnorna, kontrollen en aning mindre och det sociala stödet inte lika omfattande. / In anexamination ofwomen’s and men’s work conditions it appears thattoo high demands and limited resources contribute to poorer mentaland physical health. However, the state of knowledge concerning specifically women and med in specificindustries is relatively unclear. It can relateto the fact that individual studies do not study the relationship between requirements and resources and health separately for women and men.The aim of this study was toexamine social structures and working conditions for women and men, respectively.Toinvestigate differences in women’s and men’s working conditions, seven qualitative interviews were conducted with middle managers in the municipal sector. The differences are understood through av examination of the socialstructures that can be made visible in the division of labor between women and menand howwomen and menexperiencedifferences in demandsand resources. Furthermore,it is investigated how the differences affect workplace health.The empirical resultsshow that social structures, such as the gender order and socially constructed gender roles, influence the perception of female and male behavior. The representation of women expresses the patterns of daily activities that govern our social arrangement.Thus, perceptions are affected by requirements and resources, the quantitative requirements are the most prominent, especially among the female respondents.They have more subordinates and are expected to be more emotionally involved.This in turn affects workplace-related health, three out of four female respondents have been on sick leave due to stress during their time as middle manager.Throughout, different focus is paid to by the male and female respondents, the women's focus is on soft values to a greater extent.In a comparison between the female and male respondents, thedemands are greater on women, the control is slightly less, and the social support is not as extensive.

This qualitative study has its starting point in women's experiences around self-proclaimed singlehood. The sociological relevance in this study is to study how self-proclaimed single womens life situations look and how their living conditions are affected by this choice. The studies overall purpose is to get a deeper understanding of heterosexuall womens conscious choice of not to enter in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex, thus becoming a self-proclaimed single. The study has resulted in a survey of which driving forces that affect women's life choices. This was achieved through a qualitative method where in-depth interviews were used to collect the empirical material. To be able to create a deeper understanding of the chosen fenomenon and be able to analyze the material we have used the concepts of social construction, performativity and theories about the woman in the reflexive modernity. The primary result shows that the women from the group of focus have had bad experiences of both their own and others relationships. It can be about anything from infidelity, inequality, controlling behaviour, shortcomings in responsibility and implied expectations of sex. These factors entailed such great restrictions and adjustments in their everyday lives that they eventually came to an insight about their living standard becoming far too suffering in relation to the benefits of entering in a relationship. The conclusion became that singlehood gives an opportunity to more freedom and space for both independence and self-realization. / Denna kvalitativa studie tar sin utgångspunkt i kvinnors upplevelser kring självvalt singelskap. Den sociologiska relevansen i denna studie är att undersöka hur självvalda singelkvinnors livssituation ser ut och hur deras livsvillkor påverkas av detta val.  Studiens övergripande syfte är att få en djupare förståelse över heterosexuella kvinnors medvetna val om att inte ingå i ett förhållande med en person av det motsatta könet, således vara självvalt singel. Studien har utmynnat i en kartläggning av vilka drivkrafter som påverkar kvinnors levnadsval. Detta uppnåddes genom en kvalitativ metod där djupintervjuer användes för att samla in det empiriska materialet. För skapa en djupare förståelse för det valda fenomenet och kunna analysera materialet har vi använt oss av begreppen social konstruktion och performativitet samt teorier om kvinnan i den reflexiva moderniteten. Det huvudsakliga resultatet visar på att kvinnorna från fokusgruppen har haft dåliga upplevelser av både egna och andras förhållanden. Det kan handla om allt från otrohet, ojämställdhet, kontrollerade beteende, brister i ansvarstagande och underförstådda förväntningar på sex. Dessa faktorer medförde såpass stora begränsningar och anpassningar i deras vardag att de slutligen kom till en insikt om att deras levnadsstandard blev allt för lidande i förhållande till nyttan med att ingå i en relation. Slutsatsen blev att singelskap gav en möjlighet till mer frihet och utrymme för både självständighet och självförverkligande.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien var att undersöka samband mellan socialt stöd och nätverk gentemot upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa hos gymnasielever i årskurs tre. Frågeställningarna var huruvida det fanns några samband mellan socialt stöd och nätverk gentemot upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa, vilken form av socialt stöd och nätverk som var mest relevant och vilken roll dess storlek har, samt om det fanns några skillnader mellan könen i förhållandet till socialt stöd och nätverk. Metod Undersökningen är en explorativ och kvantitativ enkätstudie där totalt 326 individer från olika skolor i Eskilstuna, Stockholm och Filipstad ingick. Åldern på deltagarna varierade mellan 17 och 21 år och medelålder var 18 (±0,7) år. 198 var tjejer och 123 killar, fem personer ville ej svara på frågan eller uppfattade sig inte som något av alternativen. Deltagarna besvarade frågor med fasta svarsalternativ kring kvalitén på sitt sociala stöd och storleken på sitt sociala nätverk, samt om upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa. Därefter genomfördes olika korrelationsobservationer för att finna eventuella samband mellan de olika faktorerna. Deltagarna till studien har valts utifrån ett icke slumpmässigt, till viss del typiskt, bekvämlighetsmässigt urval. Resultat Signifikanta positiva samband noterades mellan graden av socialt stöd (kvalitet) och upplevd psykisk respektive fysisk hälsa. Starkast korrelation fanns mellan psykisk hälsa och socialt stöd (r = 0,46). Svaga positiva korrelationer fanns mellan antalet (kvantitet) vänner (r = 0,19) respektive familjemedlemmar och släktingar (r = 0,19) gentemot psykisk hälsa, och i förhållande till familj och släkt även den fysiska (r = 0,14). Inga signifikanta skillnader kunde ses mellan könen. Slutsats Studiens hypotes om en positiv samvariation mellan upplevd hälsa och socialt stöd och nätverk stämde i de flesta fall och kvalitet visade sig vara överordnad kvantitet. / Aim The purpose of this study was to examine relations between social support and networks, against the perceived physical and mental health of high school students in grade three. The question formulations were whether there was any correlation between social support and networks against perceived physical and mental health, which form of social support and network that were most relevant and what role its size has, and if there were any gender differences in relation to social support and networks. Method The study is an exploratory and quantitative survey in which a total of 326 individuals were included from various schools in Eskilstuna, Stockholm and Filipstad. The age of the participants ranged between 17 and 21 years, and mean age was 18 (±0.7) years, 198 were girls and 123 boys, five people did not answer the question or did not perceived themselves as either one of the options. The participants answered questions with response sets about the quality of their social support and the size of their social network and perceived physical and mental health. After that, observations were completed to find eventual correlations between the different factors. Participants for this study were selected on a non-random, somewhat typical, conveniences based method. Results Significant positive correlations were observed between the degree of social support (quality) and perceived mental and physical health Strongest correlation was found between mental health and social support (r = 0,46). Low positive correlation was found between the number (quantity) of friends (r = 0,19) and family/relatives (r = 0,19) in relation to mental health, and in relation to family and relatives also the physical health (r = 0,14). No significant differences were seen between the sexes. Conclusion The study’s hypothesis of a positive correlation between perceived health and social support and network sued in most cases, and the quality was shown to be superior to the quantity.

Though an increasingly more common occurrence, digital mobile applications are not typically particularly accessible for people with visual impairment. This study investigates the difficulties and consequences faced by developers and visually impaired users when implementing and using accessibility features as well as highlighting the principal considerations when doing so. The thesis employs the two complementary theoretical frameworks Universal Design Theory (UDT) and Critical Disability Theory (CDT) to both capture the functional and social dimensions of accessibility within digital mobile applications. The thesis highlights a knowledge gap among developers and companies, which over time can lead to an accruement of accessibility tech debt and poor design choices. The significance of education and prioritization cannot be overstated, no matter the managerial level. When developing inclusive mobile applications that cater to a wide range of users, it is essential to reframe accessibility features as an investment rather than a cost. A deeper comprehension of the social structures that contribute to disabled people being excluded from the use of digital applications can be achieved in part by incorporating Critical Disability Theory into decision-making processes. This thesis illustrates how drawing inspiration from both UDT and CDT while prioritizing accessibility throughout whole companies can make it possible to create truly inclusive mobile applications.