Varma kvinnor och kunniga män - Medias könskonstruktion av socialarbetare

Sammanfattning: How do we see the real definition of a profession when it is ruled by ideological constructions that influence peoples constructions of what reality is? By working from a culture analysis, it is possible to produce these uniform patterns that can be staved in. The aim of this study was to examine the image of gender in social work, by using descriptions of gender in Swedish newspaper articles, and periodical/reviewed articles from the media. The study was based on 80 of these articles, where the description of authority, influence, legality, role, statement and characteristic qualities of male and female social workers were examined. The chosen method was Cultural analysis. Through this study, the material was examined and interpreted. The analysis was based on three questions, the first focusing on which principals were allocated to different authorities, the second defining male and female social workers situation in their surroundings and the third on which characteristic quality defined gender. These questions were approached using three theories; Social constructivism, Foucault’s power theory and Representations theory. In conclusion, the analysis showed that the male gender was considered superior, even though more women had defended their thesis. Furthermore, it showed that men had a bigger role of authority and legality in their statements, and that men and women are defined by characteristic qualities that define who they are. Ultimately, the analysis showed that the media gave women an image of being the weaker link in social work, even though it is an area that is dominated by them.