Den eviga myten: Mödomshinnan : Hur påverkar den svenska kvinnor med bakgrund i Mellanöstern?

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the perceptions of young Swedish adult women, with an ethnic background in the Middle East, regarding the myth of the hymen. The study also examines how women connect the hymen to cultural beliefs such as honour and how it affects their life choices and sexuality. The hymen is a myth about a membrane in women's vagina that is supposed to rupture the first time women have intercourse, and this is supposed to lead to a minor bleeding that proves that the woman is a virgin. Research and medical science in modern times have concluded that such a membrane does not exist. However, the myth still lives on and affects the lives of many women and limits them. Especially women who come from cultures in the Middle East where honour is important to preserve as a woman. The honour of the family is considered to lie on the woman's behaviour in all fronts in life, but especially the sexual one. The previous research sheds light on a nuanced picture of the hymen, what it is, how it is discussed in the Middle East, women's sexuality with connections to honour, also how the honour culture occurs in Sweden. The theoretical frame of reference that was chosen was Judith Butler's theories about "performativity" and "the body as a discursive construction". Then also Michel Foucault's theories about "sexuality and power" and "disciplinary power". The result showed that all the women who were interviewed had a negative perception of the hymen and were aware that it was only a myth that exists to control and limit women. The majority have at some point been influenced and limited themselves because of the myth. They also considered that the myth had a strong or direct connection to honour.