Att bryta mot samhällets grundläggande normer: En kvalitativ innehållsanalys kring genusnormer i LVU-domar

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to investigate how gender norms are represented in formal court decisions regarding the taking into compulsory care of young persons according to 3§ LVU (Care of Young Persons Special Provisions Act). The empirical material consisted of 30 court cases, whereof 15 cases concerned girls and 15 concerned boys. The method used was a qualitative content analysis. This method focused on the content and the linguistic parts of the documents, which was useful since the aim was to focus on how boys, girls and their behaviour, was described in the court cases. The main results showed that stereotypical gender norms were reproduced in the documents. The court had different expectations on boys and girls and on how they should behave. Girls were expected to take more responsibility for their actions than boys. The analysis also showed that the girls were considered more vulnerable and in need of protection to avoid being exposed to dangerous situations and environments. The trouble with the boys was instead described as them exposing themselves and others to such situations. The findings indicate that social norms about “male” as active, outgoing and aggressive, and “female” as passive, polite and calm, affected the judgements in the court cases. All the young persons in the cases break social norms, something that the court considered to be the main problem, but the norms for the norm breaking behaviour differed depending on whether they involved a girl or a boy.