Figure 1.-- Here we see children waiting in line to be chosen (hopefully) to become new family members (figure 1). The source reports rhat this photogrph was taken in 1930. Given the adult clothing in particular, it looks more like about 1920 or even a little earlier. Sweden at the time was still rather poor and to quite a large extent, a rural country! Click on the image to see the rest of the children.

The primary institution affecting Swedish children as children with other countries is school. We have collected some information on Swedish schools. There are a number of other institutions, especially charity institutions. We know noting about poor houses or orphanages in Sweden. There does appear to have been a foster care program designed to find farm homes for orphaned city children, although we have few details about the program at this time.

Schools

The primary institution affecting Swedish children as children with other countries is school. We have collected some information on Swedish schools. We have not yet researched the Swedish school system. Swedish children have not worn school uniforms. Sweden is located in northern Europe, thus the climate is a very important factor affecting schoolwear and clothing in general. Sweden is influenced by European styles, but we see some substantial differences which look to be strongly influenced by the climate. We note considerable seasonal differences. We see children wearing a lot of cold weather garments like jackets, coats, and sweaters. We do have a few images from Swedish schools which provide some informtion on schoolwear in various eras. As uniforms were not worn, these school portraits provide a very useful look at children's clothing in Sweden over time. The image here shows a typical Swedish school class in 1952. Hopefully our Swedish readers will provide us some information on Swedish schools and schoolwear.

Charity

There are a number of other Swedish institutions, especially charity institutions. We know noting about poor houses in Sweden. There were some orphanages or children's homes, although we don't know much about them. There was also appear to have been a foster care program designed to find farm homes for orphaned city children, although we have few details about the program at this time. Here we see children waiting to be chosen (hopefully) to become new family members (figure 1). That was in 1930, when Sweden still was rather poor and to quite a large extent, a rural country! A reader is skeptical abiut the photograph being taken in 1930. He writes, "This picture must have been taken at least 10 years earlier than 1930 when you look at the clothes the lady and the children are wearing." HBC would tend to agree. It looks like about 1920 or even a few years earlier. Our Swedish reader writes, "The question about the date is appropriate. I asked myself the same question when I read the caption. According to the source it is taken during 1930. Actually, I think that is wrong - either a missprint or a bad source of information. I think 1920 is more likely."

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits] [Knicker suits] [Short pants suits] [Socks] [Eton suits] [Jacket and trousers] [Blazer]
[School sandals] [School smocks] [Sailor suits] [Pinafores] [Long stockings]

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Created: 7:31 PM 3/14/2005
Last updated: 4:39 AM 8/22/2019