Survival of orphans in 19th century Sweden--the importance of remarriages.
The study aims at elucidating the fate of orphans in 19th century Sweden. A cohort of all children born in the region of Sundsvall was followed. The Cox regression model was used. The population increased 12-fold in the sawmill parish, and doubled in the other parishes. Every 13th child lost either his or her mother or father. The death risk represented by being a motherless infant exceeded every other death risk for the child, and was further enhanced if parents were crofters or coming from the sawmill parish. For children beyond the age of 1 year, factors other than parental deprivation became decisive. Step-parents had an immense positive influence on the survival of the children. The social network worked relatively well for those children who were orphans beyond the age of 1 year. The motherless infants had the worst outcome. The best chance for survival was found for children with step-parents.
Andersson
T
T
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Umeå University, Sweden.
Högberg
U
U
Akerman
S
S
D000367:Age Factors; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008426:Maternal Deprivation; D009026:Mortality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden