Preliminary Programme

Tue 13 April
    8.30
    10.45
    14.15
    16.30

Wed 14 April
    8.30
    10.45
    14.15
    16.30

Thu 15 April
    8.30
    10.45
    14.15
    16.30

Fri 16 April
    8.30
    10.45
    14.15
    16.30

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Tuesday 13 April 2010 16.30
T-4 WOM14 Women and the Military Establishment
M202, Marissal
Network: Women and Gender Chair: Beate Fieseler
Organizers: - Discussant: Simona Slanicka
Maria Sjöberg : Women in Campaigns 1550-1850 Household and Homosociality in the Swedish Army
The paper presents the main results from my study of social conditions in the Swedish Army 1550-1850. Women´s involvement and importance in the military is on focus. The most strikingly result is that women for a long time played a more crucial role than one could believe. As a consequence, ... (Show more)
The paper presents the main results from my study of social conditions in the Swedish Army 1550-1850. Women´s involvement and importance in the military is on focus. The most strikingly result is that women for a long time played a more crucial role than one could believe. As a consequence, the unisexual masculine compulsory military service during 20th century can be treated as a historical parenthesis; nowadays women are permitted to serve the military as soldiers, before 20th century women fulfilled their military duties as soldier´s wives. In a long time perspective women´s military role shifted from wife to professional; my paper explores this process.

Soldiers on campaigns in 17th century built households and families, irrespective of war or peace, and there households were also a natural part of the military, simultaneous with a strong male bonding principle, which is called homosociality. Although conflicts existed between the two principles of organisation, household and homosociality, they anyhow operated together until the beginning of 19th century. The paper illuminates how this cooperation worked out, but also how the rise and fall of household system in the military may be explained. Military thought, state authority growth, professionalization process and discursive changes were crucial. However, I want to emphasise social practice of gender relations as a promoter of change: how morals and measures connected with marriage affected upon military. (Show less)

Carol (Kira) Stevens : Soldiers' Wives in early 18th century Russia
The paper will examine soldiers' wives in urban communities of the early 18th century. "Soldiers' wives" were acquiring a specific legal and military status as the reforms of Peter I of Russia were being introduced. Both their legal and their military roles will be examined in light of their contributions ... (Show more)
The paper will examine soldiers' wives in urban communities of the early 18th century. "Soldiers' wives" were acquiring a specific legal and military status as the reforms of Peter I of Russia were being introduced. Both their legal and their military roles will be examined in light of their contributions to the 'informal state.' (Show less)

Fia Sundevall : “Please note: No amazons wanted!”. Continuity and change in Swedish women’s military work 1865–1965
My paper presents new empirical knowledge on continuity and change in Swedish women’s military work from 1865 to 1965. During these 100 years, numerous boundaries of women’s military work were stretched, crossed and removed. The number of women performing work within and for the Swedish Armed Forces increased substantially and ... (Show more)
My paper presents new empirical knowledge on continuity and change in Swedish women’s military work from 1865 to 1965. During these 100 years, numerous boundaries of women’s military work were stretched, crossed and removed. The number of women performing work within and for the Swedish Armed Forces increased substantially and so did their tasks. A rigid gender division of labour, constructed around men’s combat tasks and women’s presumed absence from such, did however remain throughout the period. The idea of armed female soldiers, fighting side by side with male such, was repeatedly ridiculed. (Show less)



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