Gender (in)equality within the Swedish Armed Forces: Resistance and Functional Disinclination

Frida Linehagen

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis (compilation)

1710 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Historically and traditionally, military work has been closely associated with men. However, the post-Cold War normalization process has brought about a transformation in both the Swedish Armed Forces themselves and the perception of the organization. Normative concerns, including gender equality, have gained significant prominence, compelling the armed forces to embark on various initiatives aimed at achieving a more gender-balanced structure. Despite the extensive profiling and efforts made by the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) over the past decades, women currently make up only 11.9% of the military personnel.
This dissertation examines how (in)equality manifests itself in the military profession today, in view of the substantial changes that have occurred. The dissertation encompasses both the experiences of personnel and the actions of the organisation. By doing so, it sheds light on the gradual advancement of gender equality within the SAF, attributing this delay to resistance against change that becomes evident at the structural, organizational, and professional levels. This resistance is further explained through the concept of ”functional disinclination,” which emerges from the empirical studies presented in this dissertation. Utilizing a range of data and methodologies, the dissertation collectively highlights an organizational incapacity to align with the normative demands set forth. The barriers to achieving gender equality are not merely reflective of resistance; they also form a recurring pattern that impedes the implementation of normative changes.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor
Awarding Institution
  • Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Wester, Misse, Supervisor
  • Alvinius, Aida, Assistant supervisor, External person
  • Persson, Magnus , Assistant supervisor, External person
Award date2023 Oct 13
Place of PublicationLund
Publisher
ISBN (Print)978-91-8039-793-3
ISBN (electronic) 978-91-8039-794-0
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Defence details
Date: 2023-10-13
Time: 09:00
Place: Lecture Hall V:A, building V, John Ericssons väg 1, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund. The dissertation will be live streamed, but part of the premises is to be excluded from the live stream.
External reviewer(s)
Name: Sundevall, Fia
Title: Doc.
Affiliation: Stockholm University, Sweden.
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Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Gender Studies
  • Work Sciences

Free keywords

  • gender equality
  • military
  • Swedish Armed Forces
  • resistance
  • military profession

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