摘要：This is a small-scale qualitative study of gender equality discourses as constructed and employed by pedagogues in three Swedish preschools. The aim of the study is to describe and analyse the preschool pedagogues’ constructions of work on children’s gender equality, while also examining local variations and the influence of societal discourses and structures on the more localised discourses used in the particular preschool settings. The goal is to highlight how the pedagogues, through statements and discussions in interviews and documents, construct and position themselves and the children in relation to different discourses and current norms. The study is based on interviews with nine pedagogues from three preschools and an analysis of documentation from these preschools. The pedagogues’ constructions of gender equality in interviews and documents mainly relate to preschool pedagogy, although there is also some consideration of the future labour market. The pedagogues position themselves as ‘lead characters’, and children as ‘recipients’ or as ‘girls’ and ‘boys’ who are to be treated either as unique individuals or as two uniform opposing groups. Gender-equal girls are positioned as strong(er), brave(r) and (more) independent, whilst gender-equal boys as (more) socially and linguistically competent. Although there are some differences between the preschools, in line with heteronormative masculinity the primary focus is on ‘redoing’ the girls, especially traditional ‘girly’ girls.Keywords: Swedish preschool, gender equality, pedagogues, children, societal structures, discourses, norms(Published: 8 December 2014)Citation: Education Inquiry (EDUI) 2014, 5, 24618,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/edui.v5.24618
