Suchergebnisse

During the 1990s, the sociology of the family was vitalised by new and groundbreaking theories of modernity, identity, and the family. At this time the family was put forward as an example of how modern institutions and identities were transforming and changing. Concepts such as individualisation, choice biographies, and reflexivity brought new perspectives to family research. Parallel to this Raewyn Connell's book Masculinities raised important questions about men's lives and generated a renewed interest in theories of masculinities. Overall, these parallel theoretical tracks also brought new life to issues on fatherhood. Specifically, a collaborative approach gradually developed between critical studies on men and masculinities and research on fatherhood and fathering. Following a development from functionalist to contemporary theories on fatherhood, possibilities to theorise and redefine fatherhood will be explored. Using a multidimensional theoretical approach to fatherhood will facilitate making connections between the phenomenological (the body, subjectivity), and the sociocultural (welfare regimes, hegemonic structures) aspects of fatherhood. The article also argues that we might have to develop a new theoretical language that does not define acts, performativity and attitudes in terms of fathering/mothering.

This article investigates the ways in which different and complex learning processes take place in an independent Muslim school in Sweden. In particular it focuses on how a group of young women interprets, discusses and relates to school and everyday life. The empirical material consists of interviews with teachers and repeated focus group interviews with eight to ten 15–year–old Muslim women. Methodologically, the focus is on how these subjects relate to central questions of gender relations, 'religious rules', the school curriculum and various aspects of everyday life. The results indicate that even though there is a considerable degree of freedom in the interpretations of what it means to be a good Muslim, the different formal and informal learning processes also involve and define particular ways of looking at gender, lifestyle and society. In certain aspects this leads to a cleavage between what is regarded as a Swedish lifestyle, on the one hand, and a Muslim lifestyle, on the other. The processes that take place within and outside school must therefore be understood in relation to segregation, identity politics and youth culture.

The article deals with the gender ideals cultivated within contemporary fitness and gym culture - in particular the paradoxical features of this culture. On the one hand, traditional gender ideals are maintained and strengthened; on the other hand, there is a development towards an androgynous ideal. The hard and "perfect" body is gradually becoming a dial for both men and women. Men as well as women are facinated by this sculptured and well-trained body. Thus the gym and fitness culture contributes to changes in and a more reflexive attitude towards gender and body ideals.