What Has Socialism Ever Done For Women? w/ Julia Mead
Jun 6, 2022
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Julia Mead, co-author of 'What Has Socialism Ever Done For Women?', discusses the achievements of socialist feminism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, including abortion rights and women's unions. The podcast explores the impact of the October Revolution on women's emancipation, the influence of socialist texts on Eastern European social states, the challenges faced in early Soviet Union, the concept of freedom under socialism, shifting gender roles, and the benefits experienced by women in state socialist countries.
State socialism in Eastern Europe significantly advanced women's rights compared to Western counterparts, implementing access to abortion, workforce participation, and childcare earlier and more effectively.
The treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals under state socialism varied across Eastern European countries, with limited support for gender affirmation surgeries and LGBTQ+ rights not being a major part of public discourse at the time.
The legacy of state socialism for women is complex, with some state-supported programs and policies declining after the fall of the Soviet Union, but Eastern European countries continue to provide access to high-quality daycare and long maternity leave, empowering women and challenging traditional gender norms.
Deep dives
State Socialism and its Impact on Women in Eastern Europe
State socialism in Eastern Europe had a significant impact on women's rights and social dynamics. One key aspect was the advancement of women's rights in these countries compared to Western counterparts. Access to abortion, participation in the workforce, and support for childcare were implemented earlier and more effectively in state socialist countries. Women's magazines and state policies promoted gender equality, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for men's involvement in childcare. The emphasis on communal domestic work aimed to alleviate the double burden on women. Despite limitations and challenges, state socialist countries achieved positive outcomes for women, such as higher percentages of female doctors, women's participation in scientific research and development, and more women in judiciary roles. These achievements demonstrate the potential of state intervention to support women's rights and gender equality.
Challenges Faced and Progress Made for LGBTQ+ Inclusion
The treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals under state socialism varied. While LGBTQ+ issues were not openly discussed and often ignored, some countries monitored queerness, and limited support for gender affirmation surgeries could be found. LGBTQ+ rights were not a major part of public discourse at the time. The fall of the Soviet Union led to the rise of LGBTQ+ rights movements that challenged the post-socialism norm of extreme sexualization of women. However, the context and treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals fluctuated across different countries in Eastern Europe.
The Legacy of State Socialism for Women
The legacy of state socialism for women is complex. While some state-supported programs and policies saw a decline after the fall of the Soviet Union, others remained intact. Eastern European countries continue to have a norm of providing access to high-quality daycare and long maternity leave, demonstrating a lasting commitment to supporting women's needs. Additionally, the emphasis on women's education in technical fields has had a positive impact on gender representation in these industries. Women's active participation in the post-socialist economy reflects the potential of state intervention to empower women and challenge traditional gender norms.
Challenging Stereotypes: Realities of Women in State Socialism
The portrayal of women in state socialist countries often perpetuated stereotypes in the West, perpetuated through Cold War propaganda. However, real-life experiences differed from these stereotypes. Women in state socialist countries had diverse lives and experiences, and were often depicted as lively, attractive, and highly involved in various fields. Accurate portrayals, such as in the TV show 'Call the Midwife,' challenge misconceptions about women's rights and gender dynamics under state socialism. It is important to recognize that state socialism offered opportunities and advancements for women that challenge conventional narratives.
Lessons from State Socialism: The Role of State Intervention
The experience of women under state socialism demonstrates the benefits of state intervention in supporting gender equality and women's rights. State-supported programs and policies resulted in significant advancements in healthcare, maternity leave, childcare, and gender representation in various fields. This challenges the notion that state socialism only superficially emancipated women without fundamentally addressing patriarchy. The achievements of state socialism underscore the importance of state intervention and support for women's rights in challenging traditional gender roles and promoting gender equality.
Julia Mead joins the show to discuss the article she co-authored with Kristen Ghodsee entitled "What Has Socialism Ever Done For Women?" From abortion rights to women's unions the Soviet Union was a leader in the fight for women's equality. In this enlightening episode Julia expertly explains the ideas of 19th century socialist feminism, the realization of these ideas in the struggle for women's rights in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries, and finally the lasting impacts of those achievements!
The article and more information regarding what we discussed and Julia's work can be found on the patreon posting of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/69210703
