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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Effect Of The 1918 Influenza Pandemic On U.S. Life Insurance Holdings, Dr. Joanna Short
The Effect Of The 1918 Influenza Pandemic On U.S. Life Insurance Holdings, Dr. Joanna Short
Economics: Faculty Scholarship & Creative Works
This paper examines the effect of a sharp rise in mortality, the 1918 influenza epidemic, on life insurance holdings in the U.S. The BLS Cost of Living Surveys of 1918-1919 provide a unique opportunity to examine the effect of the pandemic—some households were surveyed before, and others during or shortly after the worst of the influenza outbreak. In addition, I use state-level insurance sales data to compare the increase in spending on insurance in states particularly hard hit by the epidemic, relative to those that were not. I find some evidence that, in the immediate aftermath of the epidemic, those …
“We Are A Very Happy Family”: 19th-Century Familial Power Dynamics, Stella A. Ress
“We Are A Very Happy Family”: 19th-Century Familial Power Dynamics, Stella A. Ress
Midwest Social Sciences Journal
This article examines the roles of family members in the mid-19th century in America, using the Willard family as a case study. Ultimately, this thick description of the Willard family demonstrates that power within the family structure was neither intrinsic nor static; moreover, one person did not control the family and its decisions at all times. Instead, each family member, depending upon circumstances, situations, and his or her own nature, negotiated and laid claim to power through various sources of authority. Josiah Willard’s authority stemmed from his role as father and husband; society crowned him king of the household, and …