Isprinsessa eller vinnarskalle? : En kvalitativ textanalys av hur idrottande pojkar och flickor framställs i svenska dagstidningar

Sammanfattning: Aim The aim of this study is to shed light on which body ideals among young people are found inthe Swedish newspapers Dagens Nyheter (DN) and Svenska Dagbladet (SvD). The study alsoaims to shed light on stereotypical notions of what is considered masculine and feminine amongyoung athletes. This is done by answering the following questions: • What qualities are attributed to athletic boys and girls respectively? • How are the bodies of athletic boys and girls described, respectively? Method To answer the questions, a qualitative literature study was designed with quantitative elements.The source material was retrieved from the dailies DN- and SvD's own archives with the helpof specific keywords. The source material extended over the period 1970-2020 to gain ahistorical perspective. When the source material was collected, it was read carefully and a textanalysis was performed. The empirical data of the survey were then divided into themesaccording to how the young people's bodies and characteristics were described. Results The results showed that girls went from being described as humble with joy instead ofachievement as the main focus in their sport, to after 2000 being described as humble, serious,happy and determined athletes with a focus on winning. Boys are consistently described aspurposeful and serious athletes. A clear change was that after 2000, even boys begin to bedescribed as humble. Girls' bodies are described throughout based on body size, after 2000 therewere descriptions of girls as muscular. Boys' bodies are described on the basis of a body idealwith a large body and a lot of muscle. Conclusion The theory of gender systems and gender contracts assumes that there is an order structurebetween the sexes where the man is the norm. Based on this study, it can also be stated that themale stereotype has been more static while the female stereotype has changed and approachedthe male. As the research area is complex, further research is required for a more representativepicture.