Q. What were the gender roles in Sweden in the 1880s?

Hi Arman: Your question is broad so I will answer it with the research I have been able to pull up today. In the late 1800's men and women in Sweden were involved in many types of occupations. Becoming a midwife was a common role for women as prior to this period, Sweden's mortality rate had been extremely high. Highly competent midwives were trained to attend deliveries with physicians and the mortality rate began to decline noticeably. In the late 1800's more Swedish peasants were allowed to purchase their own land. Farming began to expand, occupying both men and women. An article in the Examiner magazine, states that " women's roles in Sweden changed dramatically in the 1800's. As soon as a woman was married, she went out to work for money and switched said roles with men. To do "women's work" humiliated the men but such was the change of the way of life in America as well. A Swedish woman was rarely written about. Her place was at home underneath her husband's rule. As Swedish women grew older, they lost not only their youth, but also their authority."

For Swedish men, conscription to the army was a major factor in the 1880's for many. Many emigrated to America to escape this. "Swedish men often worked in the steel mills. The S.G. Thomas method was first used in the production of steel in 1880. By this method you could produce iron from malm. Malm was fosphor high and large shipments of malm went to Germany." This article is taken from Skolarbete.com

Farming, factory work and steel milling were very common occupations for the men.

Hopefully, I have been able to answer your question.