Arm, ledig, schwanger - Die Tragik weiblicher Existenz im 19. Jahrhundert.

Unmarried women from the lower social classes were among the most vulnerable groups in the 19th century. Pregnancy was one of the most devastating of the existential dangers faced by poor, single women in the 19th century. Being pregnant out of wedlock often had disastrous consequences for impoverished women in Schleswig-Holstein: they lost their jobs and thus their economic livelihood, were socially and religiously ostracized, and often had nowhere to turn for help. In addition, there were significant medical risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth in the 19th century, risks that always affected poor women more than others. Using examples that also extend to East Holstein and the Eutin region, this presentation traces the living conditions of poor, single pregnant women in Schleswig-Holstein during the 19th century. It thus focuses attention on a group of people who are significantly underrepresented in historical records and therefore rarely receive much attention. In addition, there were the considerable medical risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth in the 19th century, and these risks always affected poor women more severely than others. Dr. Christian Hoffarth has been a research associate in the Department of Regional History at Kiel University since 2020. He studied Medieval and Modern History as well as German Studies in Heidelberg and received his doctorate in Hamburg.