Women in transition : between socialism and capitalism / Ingrid Sandole-Staroste ; foreword by Anita M. Taylor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sandole-Staroste, Ingrid, 1948-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Women--Germany (East)--Social conditions.

Women.

Women--Germany (East)--Interviews.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (239 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As the transition from state socialism to capitalism takes place in various parts of the world, the everyday experiences of those individuals who are primarily affected by the drastic changes are often overlooked. Here, the authentic voices of 52 East German women who lived under state socialism and under the current reunified capitalist system are presented and examined in an effort to underscore the complexity of the transition on the most personal level. East German women, the author asserts, have had to shift their identities, expectations, and actions from accommodating one type of patriarchy to another, experiencing less gender equality in their everyday lives under capitalism than under state socialism. The author concludes that the women of East Germany, and possibly other post-communist states in general, are worse off, having regressed to fit into a more primitive form of patriarchy. At the end of the Cold War, East German women's private lives and emotional capacities took on vital public significance, as ruling elites expected women to make significant contributions to the political and economic stability of the reunited country. To accomplish this stability, the social roles and spaces of East German women had to be redefined to fit into the West German model. Through the voices of these women, the author shows that they fared better in some respects under the old socialist system and that they were now subjected to new, and much more traditional, gender roles even as they were expected to work and advance within the more patriarchal system. By presenting and analyzing the thoughts and perceptions of these women, the author illustrates how they have resisted, to various degrees, complying with the demands made by the newly established institutions, which require them to relinquish the crucial part of their identity that was shaped by socialist norms and values.

Contents:

Cover

Women in Transition

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1 A Survey-Based Study of East German Women in Transition

INTRODUCTION

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The Sociopolitical Context in East Germany in 1989

The Sociopolitical Context in Reunified Germany

THE CENTRAL ARGUMENT AND IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

THEORETICAL SETTING AND METHODOLOGY

PERSISTENT THEMES ACROSS INTERVIEWS

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

NOTES

2 Work Life under State Socialism

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES OF 52 EAST GERMAN WOMEN

THE PROMISE OF GENDER EQUALITY

THE REALITY OF GENDER (IN)EQUALITY

EAST GERMAN WOMEN'S SELF-CONCEPT AND EXPECTATIONS

OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE AND CONFORMITY

COMBINING WORK AND FAMILY OBLIGATIONS

CHANGED IDENTITIES AND PRIORITIES

THE PERSISTENCE OF GENDER SEGREGATION IN THE PLANNED ECONOMY

CONCLUSION

3 Work Life under Capitalism

WOMEN'S OCCUPATIONAL STATUS AFTER REUNIFICATION

NEW STRUCTURAL BARRIERS AND GENDER BIAS

Getting Fired: A New Experience

Dealing with Social Insecurity and Stress

Searching for Paid Work

Gender Discrimination in Job Ads, Applications, and Interviews

Dealing with a No-Win Situation

Dealing with a Competitive Work Environment

Dealing with Longer Work Hours and Longer Commutes

Dealing with a Discriminatory Salary Structure, Mistrust, and Recirculated Elites

PRESERVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY

4 Family Life in the German Democratic Republic (GDR)

FAMILIES

Marriage

Domestic Responsibilities

THE LIMITED CONTROL OF THE STATE

THE FAMILY AS PRIVATE ENTREPRENEUR

NEGOTIATING DOMESTIC LABOR

Gendered Division of Household Labor

Grocery Shopping

Food Preparation

Laundry

The Role of Children in the Family Household.

RAISING AND TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN

Child-Care Provisions under Socialism

5 Family Life in Reunified Germany

THE FAMILY

THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES ON EAST GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES

The Effect of Women's and Men's Unemployment on the Family

Children of Two Societies

Capitalism's Indifference to the Needs of Children

Declining Birthrate

Mothering

Shrinking Family Time

6 Material Conditions under State Socialism

Income from Paid Work

State Housing Policies and Material Well-Being

EVERYBODY NEEDED EVERYBODY ELSE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE

THE PERSISTENCE OF CLASS IN THE GDR

7 Material Conditions in Reunified Germany

EAST-WEST CLASH OVER CONCEPTIONS OF GENDER EQUALITY

Shifting Frames of Reference

Income from Paid Work and Other Sources

Sexual Stereotyping

Gendered Aspects of Becoming a Consumer

PRIVATE PROPERTY

"MAKING DO" IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY

8 Conclusion: Implications for Further Research, Theory, and Practice

GENERAL FINDINGS

SPECIFIC FINDINGS

Occupational Opportunities and Choices under Socialism

Family Life under State Socialism

Material Conditions under State Socialism

Summary

Occupational Opportunities and Choices in Reunified Germany

Family Life in Reunified Germany

The Material Conditions in Reunified Germany

SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS

IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH, THEORY, AND PRACTICE

Appendix 1: Methods

TYPE OF STUDY: ITS SETTING

METHOD OF DATA GATHERING AND TYPE OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

THE INTERVIEW

DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS

Appendix 2: Interview Guide

INTRODUCTION.

THE QUESTIONS

Appendix 3: Respondents' Occupational Status under Socialism (GDR) and Capitalism (FRG)

Bibliography

Author Index

Subject Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [199]-213) and indexes.

ISBN:

9798216037453

9786610373741

9781280373749

1280373741

9780313012150

0313012156

OCLC:

614581116