THE MALE GENDER-ROLE IN THE MEDIA DEBATE

The paper discusses how the concept of the male role was presented in Norwegian papers in the 1988-89 period. Four main role concepts are identified: the male role as determined, as voluntary, as a ''straightjacket'', and, finally, the use of the ''male role'' in definite, singular grammatical form. The concept of the role in the public debate is analyzed with reference to sociological traditions, and finally the role concepts of the newspaper texts are discussed in connection with social change.