Oönskade i folkhemmet rashygen och sterilisering i Sverige

The book "Oönskade i folkhemmet - Rashygien och sterilisering i Sverige" is highly praised for being an instructive and useful account that unveils a dark, often hidden chapter of Swedish history. Reviewers commend its detailed exploration of the emergence and development of racial biology and sterilization policies in Sweden from the early 20th century to the 1970s. The work is noted for delving into the nuances of these policies, presenting both statistical data and poignant written documents describing the conditions of patients. It effectively highlights the societal factors, including economic, political, and social influences, that contributed to the development and implementation of these laws, particularly concerning individuals deemed unfit to procreate and the significant increase in female sterilizations. The book is acknowledged for tackling profoundly important historical questions that resonate with contemporary issues.

However, the book faces criticism regarding its scope and presentation. Reviewers express disappointment over the exclusion of certain key aspects, specifically the absence of details concerning the sterilization of homosexual individuals and research conducted on the Sami population, which are perceived as crucial omissions that detract from the book's comprehensiveness and credibility. Some content is also deemed irrelevant or overly verbose, with lengthy discussions about peripheral researchers and an excessively long historical background. Furthermore, the book's layout and disposition are criticized for disrupting the reading experience; the frequent insertion of images, statistics, and long quotes in the middle of sentences creates a choppy flow, making the book feel less polished and, at times, sloppy.

Despite these structural and content-related shortcomings, the book is considered a valuable and essential resource for understanding a critical, yet uncomfortable, part of Swedish history. It is recommended for readers interested in social history, the ethical dimensions of public health policies, and those seeking to comprehend the complex interplay of societal values and scientific thought in shaping national policies. While not the easiest read due to its heavy subject matter and noted presentation issues, it offers crucial insights for anyone wishing to engage with the historical roots of eugenics and human rights issues within a national context.