Sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa och rättigheter (SRHR) inom Jehovas vittnen: En kvalitativ studie om före detta medlemmars upplevelser kring SRHR och självupplevd autonomi

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate ex-Jehovah's witnesses' experiences with accessibility in relation to sexual and reproductive health. The purpose is to build on the understanding of how closed Christian communities view the power over their own bodies in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The results are examined and analyzed through Foucault's ideas about power. The thesis is built upon an exploratory point of view, where the focus is to examine the experiences of former Jehovah's witnesses. The theoretical framework assumes that there are different types of power relations, specifically in the form of biopower, disciplinary power and governmentality. Through semi-structured interviews, six former members have been interviewed. The results indicate the complex relation between Jehovah's witnesses and several forms of power. The analysis will show how the organization controls its members, by both physical and psychological power, in relation to SRHR. Findings from this study show how Jehovah's witnesses are controlled in their daily lives, especially through power tools such as self-governance and one's own conscience.