Kvindeliv under åndssvageforsorg

Fra anstalt til egen bolig 1921-1980

Resumé

Female Lives under Institutional Care in Denmark. From Institution to Homes ofTheir Own
The study offers a glimpse into the lives of women under special care and is an example of how the Danish welfare state gradually shifted toward recognizing individual needs over societal needs. Kristine and Ellen were two of many women institutionalized under Denmark’s intellectual disability care system in the years 1921-1980. The article examines how legal and organizational changes shaped their lives, though it is difficult to determine the direct impact of these reforms. Both women lived in large asylums and under supervised foster care, with multiple professionals involved in their cases. A significant influence on their lives was eugenic legislation. Kristine was sterilized, while Ellen had an abortion and was recommended for sterilization. In both cases, these actions reflected societal views that their genes were undesirable. Other key developments included the 1959 Normalization Law and access to pensions in 1961, which contributed to a sense of security that both women reportedly valued. Despite long-term institutionalization, both eventually lived independently, challenging the notion that they were burdens to society. The article highlights the individuality of their experiences—Kristine lived in 72 different places, while Ellen in only three—showing that within the same system, outcomes varied greatly.