Boys´ forming of masculinity in contemporary youth literature

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to examine boys’/young men’s forming of masculinity and gender identity and how discussions around gender stereotypes and conceptions represents themselves in contemporary youth novels. Gender theory based upon R.W. Connell’s theoretical framework which discusses masculinities in plural is used. The theory helps to analyse forming and change in gender patterns and masculinities. The method used is idea analysis and my supply for analyse is constructed on the basis of Connell’s four ideal types. The main question is: How is forming of masculine identity illustrated in contemporary youth literature and how does this image position towards conceptions of gender stereotypes? The material comprises eight novels published in Sweden 2005 and 2006. The selection of material is made from the internet source www.boktips.net a cooperation between public libraries in Sweden, coordinated by the Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet) and Västra Götaland Regional Library (Regionbibliotek Västra Götaland). The investigation reveals the complexity and the main characters’ ambivalence in forming of masculinity. Gender stereotypes and discussions occur in the material often in relations to body and appearance. The results distinguishes from earlier research were the homosocial relations appeared as a significant component for forming of masculine identity.Uppsatsnivå: