Sluta gnälla som en bebis och va’ en stor kille nu! – ålder, kön och normalitetsskapanden.

The study is based on an apparent lack of empathy in boys at daycare centres as a possible explanation for the tendency of Swedish boys to underperform in Swedish kindergartens. A discrepancy arises in this context as empathy on the one hand, is developed to express and understand their own and others' emotions, while on the other hand, boys are encouraged to control their emotions and behave like 'real boys’, particularly in conflict situations. Efforts are made to describe and understand the use of words such as 'baby' and other age-related terms in kindergartens to mark the boundaries between children and adults, and between polarities ‘to behave like a baby’ and ‘to be a real boy’.

The study shows that younger children find it important not to be called 'baby’, as this indicates the difference between being little and being big. Age affects one's social position. The youngest children want to be regarded as one of the bigger children, as this is essential in terms of inclusion or exclusion. However, it is not always negative to be a 'baby'. At times, children consciously take on the role as a baby to reduce expectations of themselves. Furthermore, the study describes how both children and adults use the term 'baby' as a marker of undesirable behaviour, whereas the terms 'big boy' and 'big girl' recognise the desired behaviour. The process from being 'baby-like' to being ‘big' is often based on gender stereotypical expectations for boys’ and girls' behaviour. The authors conclude that words always communicate more than neutral information. The use of specific expressions has an effect on the individual's understanding of the world. Therefore, staff at daycare centres should consider how apparently gender-neutral and age-related terms such as 'baby' are used in pedagogical contexts.

The study is an ethnographic study conducted in two daycare centres in the period 2005-2007. The study is based on observations of dialogues between 42 children (19 girls and 23 boys) aged one to five years and seven employees (six women and one man) as well as face-to-face interviews.

Hellman, A. (2008). Sluta gnälla som en bebis och va’ en stor kille nu! – ålder, kön och normalitetsskapanden. I: Nordberg, A. Maskulinitet på schemat. Stockholm: Liber, S. 57-71.