Abstract Beliefs about which behaviors and responsibilities should typical be assumed by women and men are central in shaping gender relations and gender equality in society. The belief that women should be responsible for domestic work, while men should provide economically for the family gives rise to an uneven opportunity structure, situating women in a disadvantaged position compared to men. In order to achieve gender equality traditional gender role attitudes need to liberalize. This thesis examines who supports non-traditional gender roles in Sweden. Data representative of the Swedish population between the ages of 18-79 were used to explore the relationship between social context and individual self-interest and gender role attitudes. The results showed that women are more likely to be positive towards non-traditional gender roles if they are situated in highly educated social contexts. Conversely, men were found to be more likely to be positive if situated in gender equal contexts. This indicates that men’s beliefs regarding what is appropriate for women might be countered by women in gender equal contexts, while women may find confirmation regarding their non-traditional gender role attitude in other equally liberal women.

This essay argues that The Awakening treats the 1890s “modern woman” that arose from feminist ideas and the women’s movement, challenging patriarchal society with an independent lifestyle. Following Ringe, this essay suggests that the novel has a purpose of showing the process and the development of the protagonist’s individual self. But rather than connect this theme to the transcendentalist notion of the self, as Ringe does, this essay looks at this theme in the light of the notion of the “modern woman”. By arguing that Edna develops into a modern woman during this process, the essay finds that she moves from the traditional position as a “patriarchal woman” towards the role of an “emancipated woman”. Further, the essay shows that Edna’s development and thereby her attempt to change her position fails as the process of self-discovery is conflicted, resulting in Edna’s suicide. Finally, by also arguing that the novel treats a woman’s self and the process of a development, the essay visualizes that the novel is built-up by seven steps that together constitute the process from “patriarchal woman” to “emancipated woman”. This process awakens a self-awareness and self-image within Edna that are strengthened with each of these step as she becomes a “modern woman”. / Denna uppsats argumenterar för att The Awakening skildrar 1890-talets “moderna kvinna” som uppstod från feministiska idéer samt kvinnorörelsen och utmanade det patriarkaliska samhället med en självständig livsstil. Då jag följer Ringe påvisar den här uppsatsen att romanen har ett syfte att visa processen och utvecklingen av huvudpersonens individuella jag. Men istället för att koppla detta till den transcendentalistiska uppfattningen av jaget som Ringe gör, så kopplar denna uppsats detta till begreppet den “moderna kvinnan”. Genom att argumentera för att Edna utvecklas till en modern kvinna under denna process finner uppsatsen att hon flyttar från den traditionella rollen som en “patriarkalisk kvinna” mot rollen som en “emanciperad kvinna”. Uppsatsen visar vidare att Ednas utveckling och således hennes försök att ändra sin roll misslyckas då självupptäcktsprocessen står under konflikt, vilket resulterar i att Edna tar självmord. Genom att också argumentera för att romanen skildrar en kvinnas jag och processen av en utveckling visar slutligen uppsatsen att romanen är uppbyggd av sju olika steg som tillsammans utgör processen från ”patriarkalisk kvinna” till ”emanciperad kvinna”. Denna process väcker en självmedvetenhet samt en självbild inom Edna som förstärks med varje steg medan hon blir en “modern kvinna”.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of individual child-centered play therapy in the elementary school in: 1) enhancing the self-concept of kindergarten children who are experiencing adjustment difficulties; 2) decreasing the overall behavioral problems of kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties 3) decreasing externalizing behavior problems such as aggression and delinquency of kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties; 4) decreasing the internalizing behavior problems such as withdrawal, somatic complaints, anxiety and depression of kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties; 5) increasing parental perception of change in the problematic behaviors of kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties; and 6) enhancing self-control in kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties. A secondary objective was to compare the participants involved in individual child-centered play therapy with participants in a previous study who were involved in child-centered group play therapy on the above named dimensions. The experimental group, consisting of 14 kindergarten children experiencing adjustment difficulties, received 10-12, 30-minute individual play therapy sessions in a 12 week period in their elementary school. The comparison group, utilized from the 1999 McGuire study, consisted of 15 children with adjustment problems and received 12-14, 45-minute group play therapy sessions in 14 weeks in their elementary school. The control group, consisting of 13 children experiencing adjustment problems, received no play therapy intervention over a 12 week period. An Analysis of Covariance revealed significant findings in 1 of the 6 hypotheses and one subscale hypothesis examining the effectiveness of individual play therapy versus the wait list control group. Specifically, children with adjustment problems in the experimental group exhibited a significant reduction in total behavior problems and a significant reduction in externalizing behavior problems as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Form (CBCL). Additionally, an Analysis of Covariance revealed significant findings in 1 of the 6 hypotheses examining the comparison of the effectiveness of individual play therapy versus the group play therapy comparison group from McGuire (1999). Individual play therapy was significantly more effective than group play therapy in helping children maintain an acceptable level of classroom behaviors as perceived by teachers on the Early Childhood Behavior Scale (ECBS).

The Master's Paper analyses the scope of the right to self-defence under international law. The Author seeks to present a thorough evaluation of the provisions of the United Nations Charter, the rules formed in the customary international law, the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice as well as the state practice in respect of the implementation conditions of the right to self-defence.The Paper also focuses on the analysis of the theory of preventive self-defence undergoing the formation process as well as on the disclosure of the predicted negative entailments attached to its legalisation.

The first efforts to formulate the norms banning the use of force were reflected in the 1928 Kellogg–Briand pact. In the contemporary international law, prohibition of force has gained an extremely immense significance with the balance of powers changing and the processes of globalisation picking up pace. Emerging threats and the legal character of how different states respond to them is one of the most pressing topics of today’s international law. Obviously, the authors of the Charter could not have foreseen the modern challenges for the international peace and security, like the threat of weapons of mass destruction and the terrorism. The peacekeeping forces, the peace agenda, the humanitarian intervention have come to be the new examples of response to the contemporary challenges for the international peace and security and of a flexible practical application of the Charter’s provisions.

Natural disasters and hazards pose significant risks and challenges for people and communities all around the world, among the groups most vulnerable to these events are elderly populations who face physical, social, and psychological hardships in the face of disasters. The vulnerability and lacking resilience of elderly are a growing global concern as their proportion of the world's population is steadily increasing with an estimated 1 in 6 people being aged 65 and over by 2050, doubling the current number. The physical frailty, cognitive decline, sensory impairment, and economic disadvantage that often come paired with aging can make older adults more susceptible to harm in the face of natural disasters and social isolation, limited access to resources, and dependency on caregivers or family members further increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the elderly during and after a disaster. It is essential for the future to address the unique challenges faced by older populations in disaster situations and identify effective strategies to enhance their resilience and reduce their vulnerability. In Japan, with a rapidly aging society and increasing numbers of elderly individuals, the issue of disaster preparedness and response becomes even more pronounced. The current policies of individual self-reliance and community-based disaster management are heavily promoted as the way forward, but are these policies suitable and sufficient for elderly and vulnerable populations? This thesis seeks to explore whether these policies are suitable for the needs and realities of the increasing number of elderly and vulnerable individuals who are unable to take care of themselves in times of crisis.  Through an analysis of vulnerability and resilience, this thesis seeks to identify the key factors that contribute to the experiences of elderly people in disaster situations. By presenting a case study of Japan, the thesis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policies and strategies in promoting resilience and reducing vulnerability among elderly populations in Japan. This thesis aims to provides a critical insight into the policies and strategies for promoting resilience and reducing vulnerability among elderly populations during disasters and to highlight the need to critically reflect on the suitability of current policies in relation to the the growing number of vulnerable elderly.

The Master's Thesis deals with manager´s key competences and their importance in the context of present entrepreneurial environment. It provides the idea of manager´s key competences level in the company. It includes proposals and recommendations to increase efficiency of manager´s work by improving concerete key competences.