Russia

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      • impact greatly on women's lives
      • radical Bolsheviks - family was an outdated institution that needed to be swept away
      • reality- complete destruction of the traditional family unit was never a serious policy, still attacks on the ideas of a traditional family
      • youth groups encouraged to attack the 'capitalist tyranny of parents'
      • Party sections set up to educate women about becoming more independent and assertive
      • wives encouraged to refuse obedience to their husbands
      • Alexandra Kollontai called for greater sexual freedom for women - proposed 'new proletarian morality' in place of 'bourgeois marriage', sex should not be based on marriage but on 'union of free love'
      • attitudes shocked more traditional Bolsheviks including Lenin - attempted to impose a more resistant attitude
      • attempts to remould the family - encouragement for communal spaces in housing blocks, would break down traditional family unit
      • many of these measures led to the creation of the Family Code made by the Bolsheviks
      • The Family Code 1918 - targeted women, made divorce easier (requested by the husband or wife, no need to give grounds for divorce), abortion legalised, attack on traditional oppression and maltreatment of women, reduce hold of Russian Orthodox Church on family unit
      • marriage traditions weakened further (1927) - new marriage law gave equal status to registered and unregistered marriages (those who were couples/lived together as a family but not formally registered with authorities)
      • some success with Family Code - urban population took advantage of divorces and abortions (Russia's divorce rate highest in Europe), 1926 - divorce made even easier through 'postcard divorces' (husband or wife could divorce their partner by simply notifying them with a postcard), abortion commonplace as contraception not widely available, birth rate low, break up of families led to increases in orphans wandering the streets (concerned the authorities), government now under pressure from critics and the poor
    • What significant policy change did Stalin introduce in 1936 regarding divorce costs?

      Divorce costs increased from 4 roubles to 50 roubles.
    • What happened to the legal status of free marriages after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Free marriages lost their legal status.
    • What did the government state regarding family responsibilities in 1936?

      The government stated that family responsibilities should be taken seriously.
    • What was the legal status of male homosexuality after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Male homosexuality was made illegal.
    • Under what circumstances was abortion allowed after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Abortion was outlawed except when the mother's life was at risk.
    • What job security was guaranteed to pregnant women after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Pregnant women were guaranteed job security and the right to be given lighter work.
    • How long was maternity leave extended to after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Maternity leave was extended to 16 weeks.
    • What item reappeared as a symbol of marriage after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Gold wedding rings reappeared.
    • What was done to increase the number of nursery places during the Second Five Year Plan?

      More resources were allocated for building day-cares and creches, doubling the number of nursery places from 1928 to 1930.
    • What was the consequence for fathers who did not pay for the upkeep of their children after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Fathers faced a two-year prison sentence.
    • How did local authorities view cases of fathers not paying child support?

      Local authorities saw these cases as low priority.
    • What rewards did the government offer to women who had more than ten children?

      The government gave rewards to women who were considered 'mother-heroines'.
    • What tax was implemented to encourage marriage after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      A tax on single people was introduced to encourage marriage.
    • What change was made to the divorce process after the Great 'Retreat' of 1936?

      Divorce became complicated, requiring couples to go to District Court to attempt reconciliation.
    • What was a significant social change under Khrushchev regarding the family unit?

      The promotion of the family unit was significant.
    • How were women encouraged during Khrushchev's era?

      Women were encouraged to take care of the family and work, creating a double burden.
    • What percentage of the workforce did women comprise in 1960?

      Women comprised 49% of the workforce in 1960.
    • Who often took up domestic duties in families during this period?
      Other family members, such as grandmothers (babushki), often took up domestic duties.
    • What was the impact of multi-generational households on government support?

      Multi-generational households reduced the cost of government support for the elderly.
    • How did increased social benefits affect families during Khrushchev's time?

      Increased social benefits lessened the strain on families.
    • What pressures did the inadequacy of social provisions put on women?

      The inadequacy of social provisions put pressure on women in terms of additional work and childcare.
    • When was abortion legalized again in the Soviet Union?
      Abortion was legalized again in 1955.
    • What was one reason for legalizing abortion in 1955?

      One reason was to reduce financial strain and provide a form of contraception.
    • What were the changes under developed socialism during Brezhnev's years?

      Continued policies of Khrushchev's era
    • What was the government's awareness regarding social problems during Brezhnev's years?

      The government became more aware of social problems
    • What significant legislation was introduced in 1968?

      The new Family Code
    • What demographic pressure was felt due to the declining rate of population growth?

      Economically productive members had to support the old and sick