Becoming a Woman Through Tomboyism : A Qualitative Study of the Female Gender Identity of the Tomboy

Sammanfattning: This thesis concerns the female gender identity generally known as the tomboy – a non-marginal gender identity. As a result of the non-marginality and complexity of this gender identity research on the subject is sparse. Moreover, previous research has not shown a limitation of tomboyism to homosexuality. This study aims to explore the specific socialization route in which such gender identity formation is acquired and to make clear, its main stages, determining factors and key agents as well as the social-psychological and emotional experiences of tomboys. An evaluation of the consequences of this particular type of socialization, in relation to these women’s work and family lives has also been made. The empirical material was collected through the qualitative method of deep interviews. An interdisciplinary theoretical framework including theories from sociology, gender studies and social psychology have been used in the analysis of the empirical material. The specific socialization route of the respondents was found to consist of five distinct stages. The different stages are characterized by: a separation from femininity, identification with and adapting masculine behaviors and attitudes, resisting gender norms and/or mainstream culture, being sanctioned and integration of masculinity and femininity. The primary key agents were found to be the parents and other role models that were either male or performed an unconventional femininity. The consequences of taking this particular socialization route was the formation of a female gender identity that cannot be categorized as traditionally feminine or masculine, according to the heterosexual matrix (Butler 1993) nor can it be understood as a cross-gender or queer gender identity. Moreover, the tomboy identity formation is found to cause ruptures in the heterosexual matrix as proposed by Renold and Ringrose (2008). It is concluded that further research on the heterosexual gender identity of the tomboy is needed in order to fully understand both the particularities of it and its impact on the heterosexual matrix.