@misc{9240106,
  abstract     = {{This study examines young women's views on romantic relationships in relation to independence and risk assessment. The study also aims to investigate how young women construct their lives as a project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine young women. Their narratives are analysed through Beck, Beck-Gernsheim, and Giddens' theories of individualization, as well as West and Zimmerman's theory of how gender is reproduced through social interactions. The results indicate that young women's evaluation and optimisation of their lives resembles a biographical project. Romantic relationships are included in this project and evaluated accordingly. The findings also show that young women navigate life and relationships guided by strong ideals of independence. This is reflected in their prioritisation of education and future career, stability in their life project, and their concern about being consumed by a relationship and losing their autonomy. Simultaneously, the results reveal a tension between young women's pursuit of independence in their biographical projects and traditional gender norms that constrain their agency in the early stages of dating. The interviews further demonstrates that young women calculate risks in relationships linked to independence, and that specific conditions must be met before a relationship evolves to cohabitation.

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how young Swedish women navigate romantic relationships based on individualised ideals. Recommendations for future research include examining how young women's views on relationships have changed over time, comparing women's and men's views on independence in relationships, and exploring the tension between the emerging individualised woman and persisting traditional gender norms.}},
  author       = {{Boussetta Svensson, Nour and Hövel, Ellen}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ung, individualiserad och fri: Unga kvinnors syn på romantiska relationer och livet som projekt.}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}