6, Gender Flashcards
(11 cards)
Working women in the countryside
Major female contribution to running of farms necessary – on top of their role as a mother
Many societies remained rural, esp. in Southern and Eastern Europe
Working women in French cities
Unequal pay meant women were often employed so their employees could pay less for labour, women subject to assault and would get worse jobs
Middle-class working women
Increasing numbers turn to nursing, journalism or teaching
The “new” woman
Short hair, “de-feminised”, smoking, supposedly loose sexual morality, bicycle symbol
Male perception created a myth: “new woman” a disturbing sign of political and social upheaval and a threat to civilisation
How was the rise of feminism in the late 19th century a diverse movement?
“relational feminists” called for more rights within the home (divorce, paternity rights)
“individual feminists” often called for political rights (right to vote, full citizenship)
Socialist feminism
German Democratic party had almost 200,000 women affiliated to it by 1914
Russia: Some move towards socialism led by Alexandra Kollontai
Tensions between socialist and bourgeois feminists
France more moderate as don’t want to destabilise 3rd republic after rev
Achievements of feminists by 1914
No vote for women except in Norway and Finland
Married women allowed to dispose of their own incomes (France, Germany)
Unpaid maternity leaves (Switzerland, Sweden)
Limited maternity benefits in France and Germany
German masculinity in crisis
Sense that traditional German masculinity under attack – somewhat from feminism, degeneration
Men encouraged to control their desires, especially Jews (antisemitism)
French masculinity under threat
Compared selves to first empire (Napoleon/French Rev) and see selves as weak compared
Combatting with ‘culture of force’ (1890s+): consumerism promoting items to make you more masculine, sport, healthy and children
Worries about men sleeping with prostitutes, one night stands and masturbating (non-reproductive) – mentally unstable
Homosexuality amongst men in France
Non-reproductive
Morally perverted
Policing homosexual behaviour despite legality
Flourishing: art, The Palais Royal: space for sexual encounters
Homosexuality in Germany
Mangus Hirschfeld: homosexuality natural and there should be no laws against it
Persuaded German authorities to relax laws- conservative backlash
Gay life thrived in the 20th century inter-war period
