"Jag identifierar mig med dem". En kvalitativ studie om fyra kvinnors motivation till ideellt tjejjoursarbete.

Sammanfattning: Motivation to volunteer is a multidimensional phenomenon that has been the subject of research for many scholars. Studies have found that whilst concern for others is a common drive, factors as personal experiences and political values also contribute to people’s motivation to engage in voluntary work. The aim of this study was to specifically examine the motivation to volunteer amongst young women who are engaged in activities at young women’s empowerment centers, called Tjejjouren in Swedish. Based on semi-structured interviews with four women volunteers I discussed four major themes of motivation: concern for others, self-concern, sisterhood and political participation. Firstly, I addressed the origin of the volunteers’ concern for the specific issues experienced by young girls. Secondly, I brought up the women’s identification with the young girls that they are helping and moved on to discussing the solidarity felt between the volunteers and other women. Lastly, I argued that the voluntary work that is carried out in young women’s empowerment centers is a manifestation of political participation. Gender theory, interaction ritual theory, the concept of political spheres and radical feminism was used and led to the conclusion that a major aspect of the interviewees’ motivation to volunteer was their personal experiences of being women in a patriarchal society, and that the solidarity between them resulted in a sisterhood that was vital for a positive volunteering experience and the continuation of their engagement.