Een dwalend bestaan?: Mobiliteit bij veroordeelde landlopers in België (1870-1914/30)

This paper investigates the mobility patterns of men convicted for vagrancy in Belgium between 1870-1914/30 on the basis of a representative sample of 851 prisoners' files from the Belgian State Benevolent Colonies. By demonstrating the existence of various degrees of mobility in our sample, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tijdschrift voor sociale en economische geschiedenis 2016-01, Vol.13 (2), p.51-75
Main Authors: Vercammen, Rik, Winter, Anne
Format: Article
Language:dut
Subjects:
Beggars
Colonies & territories
Men
Mobility
Prisoners
Vagrancy
Wandering
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This paper investigates the mobility patterns of men convicted for vagrancy in Belgium between 1870-1914/30 on the basis of a representative sample of 851 prisoners' files from the Belgian State Benevolent Colonies. By demonstrating the existence of various degrees of mobility in our sample, we question the oft-made equation between vagrancy and mobility. The vague legal definition of vagrancy leftample room for different interpretations according to distinct preoccupations, from urban authorities removing local 'nuisances' to destitute men presenting themselves at the gates of the Colonies. Rather than a direct reflection of growing numbers of 'wandering men', therefore, the burgeoning vagrancy convictions in the Belle Epoque appear to have served as a passe-partout in complex responses to the challenges and vulnerabilities of the time's 'social question'.
ISSN:1572-1701
2468-9068
DOI:10.5117/TSEG2016.2.VERC