Parenthood, gender and equality in Maria Sveland’s novel Bitterfittan

The aim of this Masters´ thesis is to examine parenthood, gender and equality. The analysis is based on the novel Bitterfittan. The primary theoretical points of departure are Judith Butler’s theory about doing gender and Yvonne Hirdman’s theory about the gender system, the hierarchical order and the separation of the sexes. I use Lisbeth Bekkengen’s thesis in which the nuclear family is seen as an institution which is upheld by two structures; that is the social relationships man-woman and parent-child, and also by two discourses; on the one hand a notion that fathers and mothers are principally different and on the other hand the child focus. Part of the theoretical frame work of this Master’s thesis are also Carin Holmberg’s theory about the asymmetrical role taking among couples and Anna G. Jónasdóttir’s theory about the distribution of love power in relationships. My method of analysis is text-based in which I have constructed three different models based on 1) analysis of ideas, 2) the nuclear family and 3) the asymmetrical role taking and love power. This study shows that parenthood is structured around notions of what a mother and a father is. My conclusion is that if you are willing to question your way of doing parenthood and gender and if you discuss and argue these issues with your partner it will be possible to reveal hidden social mechanisms which uphold the asymmetry of power in parenthood. This will then lead to resistance against society’s gender power structures