Maskulinitet i läromedel. En kritisk diskursanalys av en lärobok i religionsämnet

Abstract

This study indicates that research about men and masculinity does not appear to have advanced as far as research about women and femininity. Similarly to attitudes concerning women and femininity, clear norms and attitudes regarding men and masculinity pervade society. Hence, there is a clear need for further research within this field to be carried out. This study, with the support of previous research, looks at gender norms which exist in educational material and the impact it might have on students. Against this backdrop, the author has focused the analysis on one textbook as educational material at upper secondary level with particular emphasis on masculinity and its associated norms. The methodological approach is critical discourse analysis (CDA). The main findings in this study show the existence of norms and attitudes about masculinity in the selected textbook. The analysis is substantiated by the use of examples. Furthermore, it is argued that men and masculinity is a social construct and discussed in the textbook in relation to norms about masculinity. An attempt is made to illuminate how these norms can influence students’ beliefs concerning masculinity.