Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University

No Abstract Provided

This essay aims to deal with prevailing beliefs about men and women's responsibilities during the Second World War in Sweden. This has been done through a case study of the female organization Fredrika Bremerförbundet in the town of Karlstad. The aim has been to determine whether the members of Fredrika Bremerförbundet had a will to work within the areas considered to belong to the men during the period. In order to answer this, the paper has examined how the preparedness period influenced the organizations attitude to female work outside of the home and also how the organization discussed female political influence. The theoretical approach has been Yvonne Hirdman's theory that there has been a gender contract at various times through history. The contract stands for the current agreement with regards to the responsibilities of men and women in a society. The point of interest has been the housewife contract that she sees as current during the Second World War. The housewife contract refers to the fact that the women's responsibilities during this period consisted of household duties and social work, while their husbands spent their time in the public life and held the political power. The study has shown that Fredrika Bremerförbundet in Karlstad had an ambition to break the housewife contract, both with regards to trying to make women work in public and also to have influence in politics. However, as shown in previous research, that will also be discussed, it has been seen that the housewife contract remained. For example, women's work in the home and with children limited their opportunities to engage outside the household. In summary, it has nevertheless been possible to see a seed for a new contract where the women also has a place in public life outside of their home and to take part in politics. As a result it is possible to see, already during the period of 1939-1945, traces of a contract that is closer to equality.