When it comes to the analysis of a particular country, understanding culture is of utmost importance. Culture helps to shape and define a number of unique elements about the fabrics of societies. Everything from art, to music, to religion, serves to give a culture its shape. Concordantly, some of the most important aspects of a particular culture are gender roles. Gender roles determine what sort of societal norms are outlined for the way men and women should behave, think, and act. When it comes to gender roles. one of the most unique countries is the nation of Poland. Poland’s gender roles are unique because of the role that Communism played, as well as the high expectations placed on women.
Poland fell under the Communist sphere of influence after World War II. Despite its downfalls, one could argue that certain benefits were gained from this transition. Women were given more equal status with men and were expected to work and contribute to the labor force. Over the next few decades of Communist control in Poland, women’s gender roles began shifting from strict traditional roles, where women spent most of the time attending household chores and duties, to a more modern role, where women were expected to be employed. This trend would continue until 1989, when Poland became a free, democratic nation. Even after this political change, continuing even today, women’s gender roles in Poland are strongly influenced by the social norm of a strong feminine presence in the workforce. Communism had a huge impact on Poland’s gender roles, originating the Polish desire for women to hold employment.
Men, on the other hand, enjoy gender roles common to most Western societies. Despite Poland’s modern female gender roles concerning women’s involvement in labor, Poland still has traces left over of unequal, traditional gender roles. Men are to become educated, work and only contribute occasionally to the household chores and duties. Despite the importance of both men and women holding jobs, women are still expected to undergo most of the household responsibilities on their own. Polish men, on average, enjoy much more leisure time than Polish women. Polish men also earn a higher average income. These truths juxtapose the fact that Polish women are, on average, better educated. Consequently, this has created a tense situation for gender roles in Poland. Many Polish women are actually rebelling against the need to work, in order to stay at home more and properly care for the household. The situation for gender roles in Poland is very unique when it comes to females, although very similar to most Western societies when it comes to men.
In the end, culture plays a huge part in defining any country or society. Some of the most pertinent elements of culture for any society are its gender roles. Poland is a country with very unique gender roles. Although currently a democratic nation, there are many aspects of the previous Communist role still influencing Polish culture. Left over from Communism is the Polish desire for women to hold their own jobs. However, women are also unfairly expected to also attend to most of the household responsibilities, resulting in unequal gender roles for women in comparison to men. All in all, Poland is a place with very dynamic, unique gender roles.
REFERENCES:
Heinen, Jacqueline. Portet, Stephanie. "Religion, Politics, and Gender Equality in Poland."
http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/httpNetITFramePDF?ReadForm&parentunid=DCC39F09493ED178C125765800370C45&parentdoc&netitpath=80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpAuxPages)/DCC39F09493ED178C125765800370C45/$file/WebPoland.pdf. Date Retrieved: Oct. 1st, 2013.
"Poland - Gender Roles And The Family; Spouses As Coproviders." http://family.jrank.org/pages/1286/Poland-Gender-Roles-Family-Spouses-Coproviders.html. Date Retrieved: Oct. 1st, 2013.
Poland fell under the Communist sphere of influence after World War II. Despite its downfalls, one could argue that certain benefits were gained from this transition. Women were given more equal status with men and were expected to work and contribute to the labor force. Over the next few decades of Communist control in Poland, women’s gender roles began shifting from strict traditional roles, where women spent most of the time attending household chores and duties, to a more modern role, where women were expected to be employed. This trend would continue until 1989, when Poland became a free, democratic nation. Even after this political change, continuing even today, women’s gender roles in Poland are strongly influenced by the social norm of a strong feminine presence in the workforce. Communism had a huge impact on Poland’s gender roles, originating the Polish desire for women to hold employment.
Men, on the other hand, enjoy gender roles common to most Western societies. Despite Poland’s modern female gender roles concerning women’s involvement in labor, Poland still has traces left over of unequal, traditional gender roles. Men are to become educated, work and only contribute occasionally to the household chores and duties. Despite the importance of both men and women holding jobs, women are still expected to undergo most of the household responsibilities on their own. Polish men, on average, enjoy much more leisure time than Polish women. Polish men also earn a higher average income. These truths juxtapose the fact that Polish women are, on average, better educated. Consequently, this has created a tense situation for gender roles in Poland. Many Polish women are actually rebelling against the need to work, in order to stay at home more and properly care for the household. The situation for gender roles in Poland is very unique when it comes to females, although very similar to most Western societies when it comes to men.
In the end, culture plays a huge part in defining any country or society. Some of the most pertinent elements of culture for any society are its gender roles. Poland is a country with very unique gender roles. Although currently a democratic nation, there are many aspects of the previous Communist role still influencing Polish culture. Left over from Communism is the Polish desire for women to hold their own jobs. However, women are also unfairly expected to also attend to most of the household responsibilities, resulting in unequal gender roles for women in comparison to men. All in all, Poland is a place with very dynamic, unique gender roles.
REFERENCES:
Heinen, Jacqueline. Portet, Stephanie. "Religion, Politics, and Gender Equality in Poland."
http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/httpNetITFramePDF?ReadForm&parentunid=DCC39F09493ED178C125765800370C45&parentdoc&netitpath=80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpAuxPages)/DCC39F09493ED178C125765800370C45/$file/WebPoland.pdf. Date Retrieved: Oct. 1st, 2013.
"Poland - Gender Roles And The Family; Spouses As Coproviders." http://family.jrank.org/pages/1286/Poland-Gender-Roles-Family-Spouses-Coproviders.html. Date Retrieved: Oct. 1st, 2013.
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