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Abstract

This article is the result of research in Sweden and the Netherlands on identity, sexuality, masculinity, and school discourse. Sweden and the Netherlands were selected because of their international reputations as sexually liberal and egalitarian societies. The interviews disclose two societies that both uphold and transgress these reputations. Interviewees were between 15 and 23. All but three were gay, lesbian, or transsexual. What I present here is a preliminary analysis of seven of those interviews, none of whom identified as heterosexual. The paper discusses masculinity, schooling, gender, and identity. Discourse of masculinity and gender in Sweden and the Netherlands differ profoundly, despite some important similarities. Emphasis on masculinity is more pronounced in Sweden. Also, the paper includes data from the interviews of two women. While this may seem unusual in a study of boys and men, the women contend with masculinity discourse and offer considerable insight into male subjectivity and gender in their society.

Keywords

masculinity sexual identity transsexualism cultural differences Sweden Netherlands

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Masculinity,School,and Self in Sweden and the Netherlands

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References