This thesis examines how the middle class in the factory town Norrköping dealt with the poverty of the working class through the public Poor Relief Board, philanthropy and the Association of Factory Owners, 1872–1914. This issue was known as “the social question” both nationally and internationally. This study shows that the local poverty issue in Norrköping obviously relates to a more general discussion and development. The investigation focuses on the principles and norms that surround poor relief and philanthrophy.

Two main themes have been examined: First, how poor relief policies (including philanthropy) were shaped locally, and how and why they changed during the period. The second theme concerns the contribution of the local poor relief policies to the formation of norms and practices associated with masculinity and femininity. An important aspect in the analyses is the fact that in the textile town Norrköping, more than half of the factory workers were women. The working mother was an issue of dignity. Characteristic of philanthropy for mothers was that they received help with childcare. They were offered the opportunity to solve the conflict between motherhood and breadwinning, but in such a way that both tasks could be achieved. It has become evident that the demands on the working woman could be doubled, with demands both on breadwinning and on conscientousness based on the normative position of the wife at home. The three areas which have been studied have made it possible to identify three dominating constructs of the female worker: Poor Relief – the female worker; Philanthropy – the mother; the Association of Factory Owners – the wife. Male workers also received the attention of philanthropists, but not before the 1890s and probably in light of the alcohol and vagrancy issues. Men were offered bed and food with the main purpose of promoting the work ethic among unemployed, but able–bodied, workers. For both women and men, poor relief policies in Norrköping also implied an education in the virtues of wage earning.