Feminism and Psychology in the Context of Nordic Welfare Ideologies and Policies

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This special issue of Feminism & Psychology has its origins in the Nordic countries. The scholars who have written the articles as well as we who have edited the issue, are all affiliated with universities and research institutes in Denmark, Norway or Sweden.1 The articles report on studies that the researchers have carried out in a Nordic context. Why a ‘Nordic’ special issue? Is there anything special enough about feminism and psychology in these countries to warrant a special issue of this journal? We felt so when undertaking the task to edit the issue. We will point briefly to some of the reasons before presenting the research articles in the issue. The five Nordic countries are well known internationally for their history of gender equality politics, beginning in the 1950s and 1960s – especially the increasing numbers of women in political assemblies and governments and their comprehensive national welfare systems. Their ‘women-friendly’ welfare ideologies and policies are often seen as setting these countries apart from most other Western countries. When the state is felt to be a ‘friend’, there will be different connotations to being a feminist, as well as being a woman, than when the state is seen as an enemy. For instance, being able to use state-sponsored reforms and supports as levers in negotiations both at home and at work will inevitably have an impact on most women’s – and consequently many men’s – life choices. Thus, at least some aspects of women’s choices and personal actions in these countries can be understood by relating them to changes in the workings of these public support systems, and feminist research has highlighted such change processes. In