Scandinavian Women and Emigration
Quincy M Campbell
SCAN 353, Zuck
Final Paper
March 15, 2004
Scandinavian Women and Emigration There have been many great exoduses in the history of mankind; men and women have traveled across deserts, mountains, and finally oceans. And the motivations behind this travel have ranged from economic to social to political in nature, often reflecting an overall attitude of change. Scandinavian emigration since the early 19th century has demonstrated a transitition toward women’s independence and a more prominent role in the economy. Initially, emigrants consisted of rural families, headed by a patriarch, seeking arable lands and better agricultural opportunities. Later, with industrialization and urbanization, many women found equal opportunity for employment in urban areas, expanding their prospects for independence. Moreover, with a redefinition of women’s gender roles and social emancipation supported by literary and social debate, many young unmarried women, as well as mothers, demanded more from life and freely sought opportunity abroad. So, with the emigration precedent of the generations that traveled before, independent women and families escaped what was thought to be the social and economic deterioration of Scandinavia. Thus, through a diversity of employment niches and a transitioning attitude toward women’s gender roles, Scandinavian emigration created occasion for equality. There is much speculation in the literature over the impetus for the different stages of emigration from Scandinavia, which possibilities included economic distress, population pressures, and an abundance of labor capital. First of all, there are conflicting resources on the subject of agricultural prosperity, and its possible effects on emigration. Janson discusses the period of 1836-1875 in Sweden as one of agricultural opulence due to increased prices on the world market for grains. However, one might make the observation that during this period the population of Sweden
SCAN 353, Zuck
Final Paper
March 15, 2004
Scandinavian Women and Emigration There have been many great exoduses in the history of mankind; men and women have traveled across deserts, mountains, and finally oceans. And the motivations behind this travel have ranged from economic to social to political in nature, often reflecting an overall attitude of change. Scandinavian emigration since the early 19th century has demonstrated a transitition toward women’s independence and a more prominent role in the economy. Initially, emigrants consisted of rural families, headed by a patriarch, seeking arable lands and better agricultural opportunities. Later, with industrialization and urbanization, many women found equal opportunity for employment in urban areas, expanding their prospects for independence. Moreover, with a redefinition of women’s gender roles and social emancipation supported by literary and social debate, many young unmarried women, as well as mothers, demanded more from life and freely sought opportunity abroad. So, with the emigration precedent of the generations that traveled before, independent women and families escaped what was thought to be the social and economic deterioration of Scandinavia. Thus, through a diversity of employment niches and a transitioning attitude toward women’s gender roles, Scandinavian emigration created occasion for equality. There is much speculation in the literature over the impetus for the different stages of emigration from Scandinavia, which possibilities included economic distress, population pressures, and an abundance of labor capital. First of all, there are conflicting resources on the subject of agricultural prosperity, and its possible effects on emigration. Janson discusses the period of 1836-1875 in Sweden as one of agricultural opulence due to increased prices on the world market for grains. However, one might make the observation that during this period the population of Sweden
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