Difference between revisions of "Janteloven (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)"

</ref>. These norms are embodied in informal practices that confer negative attitudes towards individuality, individual self-expression and measures of success. These practices can take many forms across a range of social settings. In a business and work environment it may be seen in the condemnation of new ideas and the reluctance to voice those ideas; in a school setting it may pertain to serving the needs of average and low-skilled students, while neglecting the needs of talented students; in public life it may refer to voiced disapproval of material displays of success (Stigsgaard 2005; Lenler and Faber 2008c; Avant and Knutsen 1993-94: 456)<ref>Stigsgaard, L. 2005. ‘Lever janteloven?’, Berlingske Tidende, 3 December</ref><ref>Lelner, J. and K. Fabler. 2008c. ‘Kunstige bryster udløser mest jantelov’, Politiken.dk, June 24, http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE529526/kunstige-bryster-udloeser-mest-jantelov/</ref><ref>Avant G. R. and K. P. Knutsen. 1993-94. ‘Understanding Cultural Differences: Janteloven and Social Conformity in Norway’, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 50 (4): 449-460

</ref>. These norms are embodied in informal practices that confer negative attitudes towards individuality, individual self-expression and measures of success. These practices can take many forms across a range of social settings. In a business and work environment it may be seen in the condemnation of new ideas and the reluctance to voice those ideas; in a school setting it may pertain to serving the needs of average and low-skilled students, while neglecting the needs of talented students; in public life it may refer to voiced disapproval of material displays of success (Stigsgaard 2005; Lenler and Faber 2008c; Avant and Knutsen 1993-94: 456)<ref>Stigsgaard, L. 2005. ‘Lever janteloven?’, Berlingske Tidende, 3 December</ref><ref>Lelner, J. and K. Fabler. 2008c. ‘Kunstige bryster udløser mest jantelov’, Politiken.dk, June 24, http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE529526/kunstige-bryster-udloeser-mest-jantelov/</ref><ref>Avant G. R. and K. P. Knutsen. 1993-94. ‘Understanding Cultural Differences: Janteloven and Social Conformity in Norway’, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 50 (4): 449-460

</ref>. Common to these examples is the disapproval of individualism, independent thought, and the overall support for a homogenous, egalitarian collectivity.<br><br>The term was first coined by Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his book En flyktning krysser sitt spor (1933). Inspired by his own upbringing in the small town of Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, Sandemose depicted the upbringing of a young boy in the fictional town of Jante who experienced immense pressure to conform to the peasant life of its inhabitants. By studying the behaviour of the villagers, the author codified the norms of the small society into ten commandments reminiscent of the Biblical Ten Commandments, and named them janteloven. They read as follows:

</ref>. Common to these examples is the disapproval of individualism, independent thought, and the overall support for a homogenous, egalitarian collectivity.<br><br>The term was first coined by Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his book En flyktning krysser sitt spor (1933). Inspired by his own upbringing in the small town of Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, Sandemose depicted the upbringing of a young boy in the fictional town of Jante who experienced immense pressure to conform to the peasant life of its inhabitants. By studying the behaviour of the villagers, the author codified the norms of the small society into ten commandments reminiscent of the Biblical Ten Commandments, and named them janteloven. They read as follows: