Breast augmentation is a prevalent cosmetic surgery procedure among women in Western societies, and the cosmetic surgery market has witnessed substantial growth. Today, websites and online forums are platforms that feature discussions about cosmetic procedures. A genre on surgery clinic websites is ‘patient stories’, but also lay-initiated internet forums facilitate discussions and shared experiences related to cosmetic surgery. This study aims to analyse lay-initiated online narratives about cosmetic breast augmentation. The shared narratives contain descriptions of how women who are about to undergo breast augmentation prepare for surgery, the medical procedures that take place on the day of surgery itself, and the experiences and feelings after waking up after anaesthesia. Employing a structural analysis of 30 of these stories, this research illuminates how the surgery stories adhere to a conventional storytelling format, and how key characters within the stories are ‘helpers and makers’, including relatives, nurses and surgeons. The focus in these narratives revolves around the woman herself, although her active involvement is primarily observed during the preparation phase, with a more passive role assumed during subsequent clinic routines. Despite instances of pain and discomfort in the narratives, the stories are enveloped in an aura of glamour and a spa-like atmosphere. It is discussed how this ‘fairy tale’ story, narrating a surgical metamorphosis, seems to align with the popularisation of the cosmetic surgery sector.

A female body part that gains much attention is breasts, and globally, the image of women’s breasts is a “perfect breast.” In order to attain this “perfection,” and for personal reasons, women can decide to augment their breasts by surgery. Despite the cosmetic industry’s increasing popularity, sharing this decision with family and friends can be associated with doubts and worries. This study aims to identify anticipated outcomes when telling close persons about the surgery. Analysis of posts on a Swedish online forum suggests that anticipated reactions include hopes of being accepted and fears of being viewed differently. Aligning with Cooleys “looking-glass self,” it is argued that women see themselves through the imagined eyes of others, and judgment creates feelings of either pride or shame. Breast augmentation seems to be associated with double oppression: first, from surrounding ideals about the perfect breast, and second, from associated shame manifested in social relationships.

Migrant mothers' kin work is an important and growing research field. This article takes migrant women's experiences of bringing up their children as a departure point to describe the strategies utilised by mothers to care for their children. With findings drawn from eight interviews with migrant mothers in Sweden whose children are now teenagers, the analysis focuses on the mothers' supporting strategies in caring for their children in present and future lives. Identified supporting measures involving kin work included being attentive to their children's schooling, taking care of their families and giving their children time and intimacy. An additional theme concerning mothers' own 'life projects' and the 'sacrifice' of their own education and opportunities is discussed.

Childhood obesity is a much-debated health issue in Sweden as well as worldwide. Considerable emphasis is given to the prevention of excessive weight gain and obesity in early childhood, for example by providing lifestyle advice to parents. Based on interviews with Swedish parents of obese children aged between eight and 12, in this article parent narratives of everyday practices in relation to children’s diet and exercise habits are analysed as acts of ‘displaying normality’. The results show that explanations as to why it is difficult to manage the child’s weight appear to be connected to avoiding the risk of the child receiving negative attention and issues relating to the child’s own responsibility. These findings are discussed in terms of ‘displaying family normality’.

The categorization of people into men and women are a predominant idea in contemporary society. When gender identities are radically changed, as sex change due to Transsexuality, close relationships might be changed and revisited. The over-all aim of this study is to explore how parents, partners, brothers and sisters and children of transsexual persons make sense of the relationship. Based on interviews with 15 close relatives to transsexuals living in the Stockholm area, the analysis reveals how the change of sex was regarded as a catastrophe, a breakthrough development, or both. The close relatives relate to the 'new' gender identity in line with the previous particular relationship, as partner, child etc. and because of cultural images of kinship, gender and health. The relatives either describe the sex change as central for the relationships or that the sex is unimportant. A common denominator identified is the relatives' construction of continuity in describing the past and present gender. Continuity is created in different ways; as recognizable physical signs, familiar behavior, own persistence feelings and as accounts of authenticity; both in their own and in the transsexuals identity. This authenticity is framed in ideas of a 'true self' and individuality. Different strategies were identified to be used in the process of constructing continuity. These findings are discussed as continuity in time and between inside and outside. Relatives alter these constructions to maintain a close relationship.