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The aim of this study is to investigate how households acted in order to create and uphold different norms, and the effect these norms had on the construction of gender. Throughout the thesis it is argued that control was an important way to enforce certain norms, and thus make daily life work. In this context control means to have the right knowledge and to act in the right way. If you had knowledge about the norms, you could act in accordance with them, and you could also draw attention to those who did not act as they were supposed to. The main focus is on the master and the mistress of the house, who were the key figures within the household. The investigated area is Jamtland, with some examples from surrounding areas.

The control executed and displayed by different people concerned formal norms, such as legislation, semi-formal norms, such as certain religious texts, and informal norms and practices in the local community. The household’s ability to control these norms is analysed in connection to three main areas: control over resources, such as property and labour, control over the household, which often meant ability to obtain knowledge of what was going on, and finally, self-control. Furthermore this investigation deals with those exposed to control, how they reacted and at times tried to evade the control carried out by others.

According to the theory of Tomas Laqueur, the similarities between men and women were strongly emphasised during the 17^th century. This thesis shows that the power or authority of men and women was equal in many areas, but it differed in others. The small differences in the capacity of men and women to run the household, were important in the creation of gender.