essay

Public view and private voices

anthropology of icelandIowa City • Published In 1989 • Pages: 98-118

By: Inga Dóra Björnsdóttir.

Abstract
During World War II it has been estimated that three hundred Icelandic women from all social classes married American soldiers who were then stationed in Iceland. After the war these women accompanied by their husbands left Iceland to settle in the United States. In 1982 the author mailed questionnaires to approximately one hundred of these 'war brides' that she was able to locate in the United States -- only about forty women responded -- seeking answers to the question of why was there such a strong negative public reaction to the dating of Icelandic women and American soldiers, and why did it take the form it did (i.e., verbal abuse and harassment). Their answers, and the author's analysis of the same, form a major part of this essay.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Gender status
Social relationships and groups
Ingroup antagonisms
Behavior toward non-relatives
Inter-ethnic relations
External relations
Ethnosociology
Miscellaneous sex behavior
Gender roles and issues
culture
Icelanders
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Scandinavia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2002
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
ca. 1940-1984
Coverage Place
Iceland
Notes
Inga Dóra Björnsdóttir
Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-118)
LCCN
894657
LCSH
Icelanders