Experiencing and Encountering Impoverishment in Nineteenth-Century Finland

Abstract

The nineteenth century in Finland was characterized by significant societal changes. Since 1809 a Grand Duchy of imperial Russia, Finland began to transform from an early modern society of estates to a modern civic society. The end of the nineteenth century was characterized by significant economic growth. Despite this general development, for many people this era signaled impoverishment and downward mobility that affected even the next generations. A fresh look at the economic threats on various societal layers is called for. In this theme issue we are concerned with socially varying dimensions of destitution, its manifestations, and the ways in which it was experienced and repelled. We explore the manifold and fruitful sources available, some of which are as yet little explored, while others afford novel approaches to the history of poverty.

Infertility as a lonely struggle? Coping stories of previously infertile women

“…A possible explanation for this might be that coping alone is a common, valued, and prized trait in the Finnish culture, where people are expected to be courageous and manage by themselves. The roots of self-coping lie in Finland's rural history and small size (Frigren, Hemminki, & Nummela, 2017), and in the relatively strong gender equality characteristic of the Nordic countries.…”