A comparative study of the development of childcare in Värnamo, Skillingaryd and Klevshult 1952–1970.

During the period examined in this study, Sweden's childcare system was expanded. However, the expansion exhibited significant local variations, which this study further highlights. The purpose of the study is to investigate the development of childcare in three municipalities – Värnamo, Skillingaryd, and Klevshult – between 1952 and 1970. The theoretical framework employed is The Politics of Presence, which emphasizes the importance of individual actors in politics, with a particular focus on female representation. The study adopts a comparative approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative elements. The results were clear in that the city of Värnamo implemented childcare services much earlier than the market town of Skillingaryd and the rural municipality of Klevshult. However, no strong connections to female representation could be substantiated; instead, the arguments were more closely tied to the need for women in the labor market in the industrialized Värnamo. While the study reinforces previous research, particularly regarding theories of female representation, it breaks new ground with its local and comparative focus.