”Vi kanske glömde ställa frågan till killarna…”- Skolkurativt stöd till killar med självskadebeteende: Definition, problembild och förståelse

Sammanfattning: The main purpose for this study was to examine how boys with destructive and self-harming behaviour are perceived and comprehended by school counsellors and literature. The study assessed how boys who harm themselves are defined both in practice and in theory by using a social constructivist point of view and a gender perspective. The study was divided in two parts concerning gathering knowledge of the matter. The authors, using a method called qualitative semi-structured interviews, interviewed nine school counsellors. To acquire scientific knowledge, the authors implemented a literature review and researched books and journal articles regarding boys who self-harm. An essential discovery is that boys, who self-harm, have a tendency to be overlooked and excluded from the issue. This is mainly depending on how these boys often express their feelings by acting out their emotions in a physical manner. It is socially acceptable for boys to be extroverted, to be louder and use bigger gestures while girls are introvert and emotional human beings. This is depending on social expectations on each gender and the qualities and behaviour that are associated with being either male or female.