Erik Grønseth
Encyclopedia
Erik Grønseth was a Norwegian sociologist, Professor of Sociology at the University of Oslo
from 1971 to 1989, and "one of the post-war pioneers of sociology" in Norway. Together with Harriet Holter
, he is considered the founder of Norwegian family sociology
.
As a young man, he was introduced to Arne Næss
, who encouraged him to study sociology. Following his studies at Wittenberg College
, the New School for Social Research in New York
, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Oslo
, he graduated with a Master's degree in 1949 and a Magister's
degree in 1952. From 1952 to 1963, he was a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Social Research
, and then was appointed as Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Oslo
. He was appointed as Professor of Sociology in 1971. He took an interest in family sociology already in the 1950s, and has published several books on family, gender roles, work, sexuality and society. In the early 1970s, he carried out research on couples who shared their jobs, a study that attracted much media interest in Norway and abroad.
Grønseth's views on family and sexuality were considered "radical" in the 1960s; after an NRK interview in 1963, in which he advocated sex education
, all the bishops of the state Church of Norway
as well as 129,000 housewives signed a protest petition against him. However, many of his views were embraced by the feminist
movement of the 1970s and today his once controversial views are considered mainstream in Norwegian politics.
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
from 1971 to 1989, and "one of the post-war pioneers of sociology" in Norway. Together with Harriet Holter
Harriet Holter
Harriet Holter was a Norwegian social psychologist.She graduated with the cand.oecon. degree in 1946, and was eventually hired as a research fellow at the Norwegian Institute for Social Research, which was established in 1950.Despite having a degree in economics, the prospect of making an academic...
, he is considered the founder of Norwegian family sociology
Sociology of the family
The Sociology of the family examines the family, as an institution and a unit of socialisation, through various sociological perspectives, particularly with regard to the relationship between the nuclear family and industrial capitalism, and the distinct gender roles and concepts of childhood which...
.
As a young man, he was introduced to Arne Næss
Arne Næss
Arne Dekke Eide Næss was a Norwegian philosopher, the founder of deep ecology. He was the youngest person to be appointed full professor at the University of Oslo....
, who encouraged him to study sociology. Following his studies at Wittenberg College
Wittenberg University
Wittenberg University is a private four-year liberal arts college in Springfield, Ohio serving 2,000 full-time students representing 37 states and approximately 30 foreign countries...
, the New School for Social Research in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, he graduated with a Master's degree in 1949 and a Magister's
Magister (degree)
Magister is an academic degree used in various systems of higher education.-Argentina:...
degree in 1952. From 1952 to 1963, he was a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Social Research
Norwegian Institute for Social Research
The Norwegian Institute for Social Research is a social science research institute based in Oslo, Norway.It was founded in 1950 by Vilhelm Aubert, Arne Næss, Eirik Rinde, and Stein Rokkan. It cooperates closely with the University of Oslo and the Research Council of Norway, but is a contract-based...
, and then was appointed as Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He was appointed as Professor of Sociology in 1971. He took an interest in family sociology already in the 1950s, and has published several books on family, gender roles, work, sexuality and society. In the early 1970s, he carried out research on couples who shared their jobs, a study that attracted much media interest in Norway and abroad.
Grønseth's views on family and sexuality were considered "radical" in the 1960s; after an NRK interview in 1963, in which he advocated sex education
Sex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
, all the bishops of the state Church of Norway
Church of Norway
The Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith...
as well as 129,000 housewives signed a protest petition against him. However, many of his views were embraced by the feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
movement of the 1970s and today his once controversial views are considered mainstream in Norwegian politics.