Abstract
Summary – The Woman, the Deaconess and the Nurse in the establishing phase of ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’ 1863-1873
The thesis examines how the female role as deaconess and nurse manifested itself in the establishing phase of ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’( The danish Deaconess House) from 1863 to 1873. This is a subject that is still unexplored, and which makes the examination relevant to the history of nursing. Hence, the aim of this thesis is to examine, using publicized literary sources, how the woman as deaconess and nurse fit into contemporary society in the period from 1863 to 1873.
Inspired by historian Knut Kjeldstadlis’ historical approach, scrutiny and criticism of original sources as well as textual interpretation are used to achieve an understanding of the outer cultural, social, and religious factors, and the inner factors, that influenced the deaconess and ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’ during the establishing phase from 1863 to 1873. The inner factors are deducted from numerous readings and interpretations of publicly available sources which ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’, and its adherents, published. Thereby the intentions, goals, and motives the authors had in relation to the task as deaconess are found and interpreted. With the historical analysis, three themes have emerged. These themes are: The woman and the deaconess’ status in that periode, the calling and the deaconess’ religious standing, and the secular and religious attitudes to nursing. Starting from these themes, the thesis is divided into chapters that deal with the woman, the deaconess, and the nurse, where the factors that influence those roles are analysed and discussed.
It is concluded that the historical methodology has helped to render visible how the female role as deaconess and nurse in the establishing phase of `Den danske Diakonissestiftelse`, from 1863 to 1873, was partially culturally unacceptable and not culturally recognisable for the bourgeoisie. This meant that the deaconesses had to fight on all fronts to gain recognition and the possibility to further the cause, which did not happen until after 1873.
It is recommended to shed light on the case using other perspectives by looking in the archives of ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’. The historical struggle about the right to define nursing in a period where medical science was going through a massive development must be said to have left its mark on the health services today. Consequently, the historical importance and status of religion and the woman must be included in examinations, to gain an understanding of why nursing has evolved into the profession that it is today.
The thesis examines how the female role as deaconess and nurse manifested itself in the establishing phase of ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’( The danish Deaconess House) from 1863 to 1873. This is a subject that is still unexplored, and which makes the examination relevant to the history of nursing. Hence, the aim of this thesis is to examine, using publicized literary sources, how the woman as deaconess and nurse fit into contemporary society in the period from 1863 to 1873.
Inspired by historian Knut Kjeldstadlis’ historical approach, scrutiny and criticism of original sources as well as textual interpretation are used to achieve an understanding of the outer cultural, social, and religious factors, and the inner factors, that influenced the deaconess and ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’ during the establishing phase from 1863 to 1873. The inner factors are deducted from numerous readings and interpretations of publicly available sources which ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’, and its adherents, published. Thereby the intentions, goals, and motives the authors had in relation to the task as deaconess are found and interpreted. With the historical analysis, three themes have emerged. These themes are: The woman and the deaconess’ status in that periode, the calling and the deaconess’ religious standing, and the secular and religious attitudes to nursing. Starting from these themes, the thesis is divided into chapters that deal with the woman, the deaconess, and the nurse, where the factors that influence those roles are analysed and discussed.
It is concluded that the historical methodology has helped to render visible how the female role as deaconess and nurse in the establishing phase of `Den danske Diakonissestiftelse`, from 1863 to 1873, was partially culturally unacceptable and not culturally recognisable for the bourgeoisie. This meant that the deaconesses had to fight on all fronts to gain recognition and the possibility to further the cause, which did not happen until after 1873.
It is recommended to shed light on the case using other perspectives by looking in the archives of ‘Den danske Diakonissestiftelse’. The historical struggle about the right to define nursing in a period where medical science was going through a massive development must be said to have left its mark on the health services today. Consequently, the historical importance and status of religion and the woman must be included in examinations, to gain an understanding of why nursing has evolved into the profession that it is today.
| Originalsprog | Dansk |
|---|---|
| Status | Udgivet - 1 aug. 2005 |