Snabbesökningar

Snabbesökningar, commonly referred to as "snabbesökningar borgerligt äktenskap" or "borgerliga snabbesökningar", were a short-lived practice of informal cohabitation agreements in Sweden before the institution of civil marriage became more common. This phenomenon primarily emerged in the early 20th century, mainly among the upper and middle classes.

The term translates to "quick visits" or "short drops in", alluding to the ephemeral nature of these arrangements. In most cases, individuals would enter into a brief, usually unwritten, agreement, and stay together for a period of time, ranging from several weeks to a few months or even a year. This was often facilitated by social connections and economic means.

This practice was essentially a workaround for the reigning social convention that required couples to obtain a formal church marriage to be considered respectable. Those engaging in snabbesökningar often sought to bypass the strict social norms and formalities that came with a traditional church marriage. This arrangement typically provided a suitable temporary solution for couples who wanted to enjoy a sense of companionship without feeling the necessity of formal matrimony.

However, the importance of snabbesökningar began to wane as social norms around marriage underwent significant changes in the mid-20th century, with civil marriage becoming a more accepted and accessible institution. As a result, the need for informal cohabitation arrangements decreased, and this practice eventually lost favor with the Swedish population.