Not a piece of dirt? : A textanalysis of masculinity Värnpliktsnytt 1991-1971

This essay examines masculinity in the Swedish military paper Värnpliktsnytt during 1971-1991. The purpose is to study the masculine norms and the hegemonic masculinity that Värnpliktsnytt conveys during these years. Värnpliktsnytt was handed out for free to all soldiers during 1971-2010. During the 1970’s the women were only allowed on non-combat posts and in the 1980’s they more and more were included and accepted as soldiers and staff in the military. In 1989 women were allowed to apply for active and non-combat duty in all military sectors. This affected the masculine ideal of Värnpliktsnytt, and the desirable view of man started to change. Before the 1980’s strong men in the ranger divisions constituted the hegemonic masculinity’s peak, but during this decade the regular conscripted soldiers with more individual thought and softer feelings rose in the hegemonic hierarchy. Also with the common debate on gender equality men in the military was encouraged to take a bigger part in the home life and to act more responsible towards the upbringing of the children. Apart from the duty to family, the military duty is also central to the masculinity in Värnpliktsnytt during the whole examined period. Men are expected to fulfill their military duty, although it is accepted to complain about wage andworking conditions. The overall results points in the direction that the ideal man becomes more complex