Death and the Boogeyman
Death and the Boogeyman

Summary/Abstract: The paper explores some interfaces between the history of raising children and the history of taking care of the dead. The study is based on extensive autobiographical material from rural Norway covering the decades before and after the year 1900. First some forms of punishments and threats that were used against children are presented. Then the children’s involvement in the care for the dying and the dead is explored. Finally I discuss how changes in the care for the dying would lead to changes in the contents of punishments as being thrown out the door or thrown down the cellar and threats with various sorts of boogeymen.

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