With each passing week of the semester I find myself further infatuated by the Norwegian countryside and its Scandinavian culture. Now with being presented the opportunity to research the societal roles of men and women, I asked myself, “would the infatuation continue?” I have posted several pictures on this website depicting life in Norway. These pictures show urban areas, small fishing villages, and Sami life and culture in the northern part of the country. While they are certainly beautiful photographs, would the beauty of its landscape continue into the concept of gender equality? Would there be any differences in societal roles and expectations between the Sami culture of the north and the Norwegian culture of the south?
Research of the 1800’s indicates that the societal roles of men and women in Norway were very traditional. The men were expected to be providers while women were expected to stay home. The Crafts Act of 1839 in conjunction with the Trade Act of 1842 gave single women the opportunity to provide for themselves. The Crafts Act allowed women to produce goods of their own while the Trade Act granted women opportunities to trade, although some of these opportunities were limited. As industrialization began to spread throughout the country, societal roles for women began to change. Women began to seek jobs outside the home and in 1882 they were granted access to higher education. Despite that, it took until 1903 for the first woman to receive a Doctorate Degree from the University of Oslo. It has been reported that as of currently, the women’s labor market participation in Norway is among the highest in Europe. Unfortunately, the labor market itself, remains segregated. Women are typically employed in more caretaking professions such as teaching and nursing whereas men are employed in the economic and technological fields.
In more recent years, Norway has seen a push for equal rights for men. While men make up the greater percentage of the work force, they seek legislative recognition in their importance to the family unit. In 1993, legislation was passed granting fathers four weeks of paid paternity leave. Additionally, the Children Act in Norway addresses a child’s living situation following divorce. Now courts must take into consideration the suitability of both parents as well as the interests of the child rather than the child remaining with the mother because of their special mother-child bond.
While researching the Sami culture from the northern part of Norway there were some historical differences in terms of societal roles and how those roles were viewed. While the women were the caretakers of their families, their job was seen as being far more prestigious within their culture. They were responsible for ensuring their families survival as well as passing down their cultural traditions to their children. One way in which they were responsible for their family’s survival was through the sewing of clothing. In such harsh cold climates warm and durable clothing was an absolute necessity, and a task that could take up the majority of a day. During the modernization of Norway, the Sami culture began to assimilate into the Norwegian culture. One of the results of this was a feminist movement in which the Sami women could not identify with. In 1988, the Sami women banded together to form their own organization, the Sarahkka. The goal of the organization was to focus on women’s issue that were unique to their indigenous population and culture.
My research into the societal roles of men and in women in Norway demonstrates a push towards gender equality. Equality is not only sought by women in the workforce but also by men and their recognized importance to the familial unit. Additionally, societal roles are viewed differently by the Sami culture of the north. As a result of this they seek not only gender equality, but ethnic equality as well. In conclusion, has my view of Norway changed? Do I continue to find it as fascinating as I did prior to my research on societal roles? Absolutely.
References:
Work, Welfare & Economy. (2006, January 1). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.gender.no/Topics/12
Family & Relationships. (2006, January 1). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.gender.no/Topics/13
Morkhagen, P. (n.d.). The Position of Women in Norway. Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa053101a.htm
Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Norway.html
Bergstrom, I. (2013, September 27). The History of Norwegian Equality. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://eng.kilden.forskningsradet.no/c52778/nyhet/vis.html?tid=85827
Sarah, A. (n.d.). Women in Saami Society. Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/dieda/hist/women.htm
Research of the 1800’s indicates that the societal roles of men and women in Norway were very traditional. The men were expected to be providers while women were expected to stay home. The Crafts Act of 1839 in conjunction with the Trade Act of 1842 gave single women the opportunity to provide for themselves. The Crafts Act allowed women to produce goods of their own while the Trade Act granted women opportunities to trade, although some of these opportunities were limited. As industrialization began to spread throughout the country, societal roles for women began to change. Women began to seek jobs outside the home and in 1882 they were granted access to higher education. Despite that, it took until 1903 for the first woman to receive a Doctorate Degree from the University of Oslo. It has been reported that as of currently, the women’s labor market participation in Norway is among the highest in Europe. Unfortunately, the labor market itself, remains segregated. Women are typically employed in more caretaking professions such as teaching and nursing whereas men are employed in the economic and technological fields.
In more recent years, Norway has seen a push for equal rights for men. While men make up the greater percentage of the work force, they seek legislative recognition in their importance to the family unit. In 1993, legislation was passed granting fathers four weeks of paid paternity leave. Additionally, the Children Act in Norway addresses a child’s living situation following divorce. Now courts must take into consideration the suitability of both parents as well as the interests of the child rather than the child remaining with the mother because of their special mother-child bond.
While researching the Sami culture from the northern part of Norway there were some historical differences in terms of societal roles and how those roles were viewed. While the women were the caretakers of their families, their job was seen as being far more prestigious within their culture. They were responsible for ensuring their families survival as well as passing down their cultural traditions to their children. One way in which they were responsible for their family’s survival was through the sewing of clothing. In such harsh cold climates warm and durable clothing was an absolute necessity, and a task that could take up the majority of a day. During the modernization of Norway, the Sami culture began to assimilate into the Norwegian culture. One of the results of this was a feminist movement in which the Sami women could not identify with. In 1988, the Sami women banded together to form their own organization, the Sarahkka. The goal of the organization was to focus on women’s issue that were unique to their indigenous population and culture.
My research into the societal roles of men and in women in Norway demonstrates a push towards gender equality. Equality is not only sought by women in the workforce but also by men and their recognized importance to the familial unit. Additionally, societal roles are viewed differently by the Sami culture of the north. As a result of this they seek not only gender equality, but ethnic equality as well. In conclusion, has my view of Norway changed? Do I continue to find it as fascinating as I did prior to my research on societal roles? Absolutely.
References:
Work, Welfare & Economy. (2006, January 1). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.gender.no/Topics/12
Family & Relationships. (2006, January 1). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.gender.no/Topics/13
Morkhagen, P. (n.d.). The Position of Women in Norway. Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa053101a.htm
Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Norway.html
Bergstrom, I. (2013, September 27). The History of Norwegian Equality. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://eng.kilden.forskningsradet.no/c52778/nyhet/vis.html?tid=85827
Sarah, A. (n.d.). Women in Saami Society. Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/dieda/hist/women.htm