| dc.description.abstract | The thesis takes its starting point in the conception that teenage boys living with a single mother
lack male role models and that this lack is related to some of the boys’ social problems. The
overall aim of the thesis is to analyse and deconstruct the conception lack of male role models within
the field of social work. Further to explicitly study how this conception and closely related
discourses are reproduced and/or reshaped in the social work services for sons of single
mothers.
Social constructionism, a “doing gender” -approach on how masculinities are constructed
combined with discourse analysis and genealogy forms the theoretical and methodological
framework for the thesis. It combines a quantitative and a qualitative approach and uses three
empirical data sets to fulfil the aim. The first is an interview study with 11 informants working
directly with teenage boys in open forms of social treatment. The second is a survey using
questionnaires directed to key social workers and containing questions both on number of
assessments, gendered differences, measures taken etc. and positions in relation to assertions
concerning single mothers, their sons and the importance (or not) of male role models. 52 out of
98 social workers selected answered the questionnaire. The third is an analysis of texts published
in Socionomen, the most influential journal for social workers in Sweden. The 217 texts studied
span over a period of 42 years, 1958 to 2000.
The thesis concludes that the conception lack of male role models has a strong hold on social
workers both in assessing and in carrying out care for teenage boys. The conception is
understood as closely linked to a number of discourses that, in their turn, cooperate with social
practice. Within a gender equality discourse with a strong political rhetoric two different discourses
on gender can be seen: both gender as difference and gender as sameness. This ambivalence raises
questions on the role of men in female dominated work places and as role models. Are they
supposed to be models in a stereotypical and traditional masculinity construction or models for
transgressing stereotypes?
The constructions of masculinity are multiple and complex. A man of the body is constructed
from components such as courage, discipline, physical activity and a trimmed body. A man of the
head is also constructed, consisting of verbality, sensitivity and care. In the constructions of
fathers two main discourses can be identified: fatherhood defined as biological kinship and as child
oriented presence and care. The construction of the lone mothers shows similar complexities and
ambivalences. She is both strong and capable but at the same time morally disreputable and
burdened under a dominating mother centred discourse influenced, in its turn, by psychoanalytical
thinking. She is seen as lacking in relation to the son. Mothers and fathers are further measured as
parents by different gauges. The father is often “good enough” by being the biological father
whilst the mother is judged harder.
The discourses presented are interrelated, not least with a discourse where society is viewed as
fatherless and where childhood is seen dominated by women. A fear of the wild teenage boy can be seen
that leads to demands for discipline and a traditional form of masculinity within practical social
work. But alternatives can also be seen and the ambivalences, competition and movements between discourses open a dynamic field. The thesis analyses these movements, different
positions and competitions, within both discourses and social practice.
between discourses open a dynamic field. The thesis analyses these movements, different
positions and competitions, within both discourses and social practice. | eng |
