Worlds we have lost and worlds we may regain: Two centuries of changes in the life course in Sweden

The article seeks to place into historical context the familial changes in “post-industrial” Sweden during the past two decades, by comparing them with general characterizations (based on documented life-course experiences) of the traditional Swedish agrarian society (before 1800), the transitional society (c. 1800–1870), and the industrial society (c. 1870–1980). Familial lives in traditional Swedish society tended to be stable. By contrast, during the agrarian-to-industrial transition, stability gave way to opportunity and unpredictability. In industrial society, especially since World War II, stability became once again the hallmark, because of general governmental social policy. Because in the current postindus trial phase structural alteration cannot easily be distinguished from shortterm fluctuations. Even as families cope with rapid change, familiarity with past traditions can be useful for identifying possible alternative outcomes.