The narrative construction of identity by sexual harassers
Author
Christensen, Maja Fredberg
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-05-31
Pages
79
Abstract
This thesis is a qualitative study of how men who have engaged in sexual harassment construct identity through storytelling in light of their actions. The material comprises interviews with seven men from a Danish newspaper’s podcast series on men’s perspectives on #MeToo, consent, and sexual boundaries. Grounded in cultural psychology, social constructionism, and discursive psychology, identity is treated as produced in social interaction. The analysis uses positioning theory and Michael Bamberg’s narrative practice approach, focusing on “small stories” and three identity dilemmas: continuity versus change over time, sameness versus uniqueness, and agency/control. Findings indicate that the men often present themselves as changed since the incidents, emphasize similarity to others (“anyone could have done it”), and downplay their own agency by positioning themselves as carried along, thereby distributing responsibility more collectively. These narratives point to the value of collective and structural prevention strategies alongside individual interventions. Rather than defining a “true” harasser type, the contribution lies in showing how diverse narrative strategies construct identity, illuminating hidden aspects of sexual harassment that can inform prevention.
Dette speciale er en kvalitativ undersøgelse af, hvordan mænd, der har udøvet seksuel chikane, gennem fortællinger konstruerer identitet i lyset af deres handlinger. Materialet består af interviews med syv mænd fra en dansk avis’ podcastserie om mænds perspektiver på #MeToo, samtykke og seksuelle grænser. Med afsæt i kulturel psykologi, socialkonstruktionisme og diskurspsykologi forstås identitet som noget, der skabes i social interaktion. Analysen anvender positioneringsteori og Michael Bambergs narrative practice-tilgang med fokus på “små historier” og tre identitetsdilemmaer: kontinuitet vs. forandring over tid, lighed vs. unikke træk samt kontrol/handlekraft. Resultaterne viser, at mændene ofte fremstiller sig som forandrede siden hændelserne, betoner lighed med andre (“det kunne være sket for enhver”) og nedtoner egen handlekraft ved at positionere sig som passivt drevet med, hvorved ansvar spredes mere kollektivt. Dette peger på, at kollektive og strukturelle forebyggelsesstrategier bør supplere individuelle indsatser. Studiets bidrag er ikke at afsløre en “sand” krænkertype, men at synliggøre, hvordan forskellige narrative strategier bruges til at skabe identitet og dermed belyse skjulte sider af seksuel chikane, der kan informere forebyggelse.
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