The untold cultural heritage of women: Kitchens in Swedish households 1850-2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between the development of the Swedish household kitchen and its social status and the status of women from 1850 until today. This will be made possible by a thorough literature search and analysis and also through analyzing photos and advertisements from different time periods. The study has resulted in an understanding of the social development of the Swedish household kitchens. It has transformed from a room for the lower classes and women to the most important room in the home, where the most money and resources are allocated. The results also shows the relationship between the social factors and the physical attributes of the kitchen, such as where in the home it is placed and how the layout has changed. The gender perspective of the room has also been brought to light by the research of the social structure. The conclusion of this study is that the development of the kitchen is tightly connected to the development of the society and the status of women. The development of the kitchen has both been effected by men and also to a great extent by women. Women of different times have all been highly engaged in improvements of the home and kitchen. Today the kitchen has evolved into being a measurement for status.Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen med huvudområdet kulturvård med inriktning mot bebyggelseantikvarisk verksamhet, 2017 Kandidatuppsats, 15 hp 2017:1