Den nya mannen tar form : - En kvalitativ studie om manliga undersköterskors upplevelse av att arbeta inom äldrevården

Sammanfattning: This study aims to explore how male auxiliary nurses relate with gender-coded norms and why they relate to these norms in their work at elderly-care, while also exploring what kind of masculine identities appear when they relate to the expected gender norm. The empirical material was gathered by using a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with seven male auxiliary nurses from three different municipalities in Sweden. By using Connells (2008) masculinity-theory, where gender is seen as a process where the male body is regarded as an object and an acting organ which produces gender differences, this theory will help the essay understand the problems surrounding how the male auxiliaries’ nurses relate and negotiate with gender-coded norms in their work at elderly-care. This dynamic aspect of masculinity and the relation with the gender-structure will be used to examine how male auxiliary nurses relate and negotiating with different form of masculinities. The results of this study have showcased the evidently traditional gender norm that exists within this line of work, as the informants could relate to the pressure in maintaining their masculine identity. In some cases, the traditional gender norms have given the informants advantages and disadvantages which will be thoroughly explained later in the essay. The data ultimately showcased the dynamic and complex structure of masculinity, as male auxiliary nurses are expected to behave within the traditional forms of masculinity while also creating a new form of masculinity as they assume their “feminine” profession.