På neutral mark? - En studie om flöjtpedagogers tankar kring genus i musik- och kulturskolan

Sammanfattning: This study aims to examine the uneven gender distribution amongst flute students in the municipal music schools, and the factors that create and maintain this distribution. It describes, from the flute teacher’s perspective, factors significant in creating and maintaining this distribution. Furthermore the student basis is described from the flute teacher’s perspective. The teachers discuss the value of a more equal gender distribution. They also debate how they, and their schools, position themselves with regard to working for a more equal gender distribution. The empirical background material consists of interviews with four flute teachers working in the Swedish municipal music school. The theoretic background focuses on research about the municipal music school’s role in society, music studies in a socio-cultural context and equality and gender in a school environment. The results show that the flute today is considered a “girl instrument”. As such, it becomes more difficult for it to attract boys to the instrument. It also appears that parents and the social environment are significant for children’s music making and choice of instrument. The results also show that the teachers see a value in making the gender distribution more equal. At the same time, the interviews indicate that the teachers are in doubt about actively working for any change in the municipal music school.