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Self-Perceived Deviancy, children’s Negotiation of Body and Sexuality in Contemporary Counselling

Persson, Thania LU (2022) SANM03 20221
Social Anthropology
Department of Sociology
Abstract
In this thesis I investigate children’s negotiation of deviancy and normality in relations to
body and sexuality through analysing children’s magazine Kamratposten (KP, Pal Paper).
Also, how children’s letters to the editor are being responded to by the magazine’s engaged
counsellors of the section Kropp & Knopp (Body & Bud). By using sacred and profane,
anomalies and gender theory, I investigate how children are perceiving their body and
sexuality in the light of deviance or normality. The concepts of stigma and shame are used for
understanding children’s rejection of physical changes and how media consumption is a major
contribution to that feeling. Through thematic analysis I examine anonymous letters from
children where... (More)
In this thesis I investigate children’s negotiation of deviancy and normality in relations to
body and sexuality through analysing children’s magazine Kamratposten (KP, Pal Paper).
Also, how children’s letters to the editor are being responded to by the magazine’s engaged
counsellors of the section Kropp & Knopp (Body & Bud). By using sacred and profane,
anomalies and gender theory, I investigate how children are perceiving their body and
sexuality in the light of deviance or normality. The concepts of stigma and shame are used for
understanding children’s rejection of physical changes and how media consumption is a major
contribution to that feeling. Through thematic analysis I examine anonymous letters from
children where they feel safe to write about the most intimate questions and concerns to KP’s
counsellors. This thesis contributes to an understanding of children’s feelings about physical
changes, appearances, gender identity and how media that are dominant forces in children’s
lives can contribute to different risks and health problems. It also highlights the importance of
social changes that are needed for children to feel safe and secure about talking to their
parents about their body, sexuality, and gender identity. (Less)
Popular Abstract
In this thesis I will investigate the most intimate questions about children’s thoughts on
sexuality and body. Since children between the ages of 8 to 14 are not maturing
simultaneously, but rather developing physical changes earlier or later than others, there are
many concerns and questions that children feel embarrassed to talk about. Are children
embracing the bodily changes? If not, is the media contributing to children’s rejection of
physical changes? By gaining an insight and increased understanding, not only of children’s
view on body and sexuality, but their view on gender and sexual diversities, I examine
anonymous letters from children in a children’s magazine Kamratposten (KP, Pal Paper). I
will also analyse the... (More)
In this thesis I will investigate the most intimate questions about children’s thoughts on
sexuality and body. Since children between the ages of 8 to 14 are not maturing
simultaneously, but rather developing physical changes earlier or later than others, there are
many concerns and questions that children feel embarrassed to talk about. Are children
embracing the bodily changes? If not, is the media contributing to children’s rejection of
physical changes? By gaining an insight and increased understanding, not only of children’s
view on body and sexuality, but their view on gender and sexual diversities, I examine
anonymous letters from children in a children’s magazine Kamratposten (KP, Pal Paper). I
will also analyse the counsellors’ answers of how they are guiding children away from risks
and negative feelings about themselves. What becomes clear when examining the letters is
that children have in recent years more concerns about appearances. A lot of the negative
feelings derive from the comparison of celebrities that they view on social media such as
Instagram. It also becomes clear that children’s sexual desires are perceived by them as
deviant behaviours and that questions regarding body, sex and gender are avoided talking
about to parents. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Persson, Thania LU
supervisor
organization
course
SANM03 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Kamratposten, Children’s sexual development, Body, Sexuality in media, Gender, Deviance, Cultural Criminology, Social anthropology
language
English
id
9094598
date added to LUP
2022-09-19 08:24:11
date last changed
2022-09-19 08:24:11
@misc{9094598,
  abstract     = {{In this thesis I investigate children’s negotiation of deviancy and normality in relations to 
body and sexuality through analysing children’s magazine Kamratposten (KP, Pal Paper). 
Also, how children’s letters to the editor are being responded to by the magazine’s engaged 
counsellors of the section Kropp & Knopp (Body & Bud). By using sacred and profane, 
anomalies and gender theory, I investigate how children are perceiving their body and 
sexuality in the light of deviance or normality. The concepts of stigma and shame are used for 
understanding children’s rejection of physical changes and how media consumption is a major 
contribution to that feeling. Through thematic analysis I examine anonymous letters from 
children where they feel safe to write about the most intimate questions and concerns to KP’s 
counsellors. This thesis contributes to an understanding of children’s feelings about physical 
changes, appearances, gender identity and how media that are dominant forces in children’s 
lives can contribute to different risks and health problems. It also highlights the importance of 
social changes that are needed for children to feel safe and secure about talking to their 
parents about their body, sexuality, and gender identity.}},
  author       = {{Persson, Thania}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Self-Perceived Deviancy, children’s Negotiation of Body and Sexuality in Contemporary Counselling}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}