Women's roles have developed significantly over time. In the two parts of Germany, that development happened in very different ways. While women in the East were almost seen as equal to men, at least in theory, the situation in the West of Germany proved to be much more conservative. This paper deals with the development of women's roles in the last 60 years, with the example of three different generations.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT
2.2 OBJECTIVES
2.3 HYPOTHESES
2.4 DATA COLLECTION
3. MAIN PART
3.1 ROLE OF WOMEN SINCE 1950
3.2 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (FRG) UNTIL 1989
3.3 GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (GDR) UNTIL 1989
3.4 PRESENT (1989-TODAY)
3.4.1 GENDER DEVELOPMENT INDEX
3.4.2 CASES OF THREE GENERATIONS: ROLES, IDENTITY AND BEHAVIOUR OF WOMEN
3.4.2.1 ADOLESCENCE AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD (15 YEARS) BETWEEN 1950 AND 1975
3.4.2.2 ADOLESCENCE AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD (15 YEARS) BETWEEN 1975 AND 2000
3.4.2.3 ADOLESCENCE (14 YEARS) BETWEEN 2000 AND 2015
4. CONCLUSION
4.1 WOMEN AT WORK
4.2 SHARING HOUSEHOLD AND CARE TAKING CHORES
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this work is to examine how the social roles, status, and self-perception of women in Germany have evolved over the past 60 years, evaluating changes in gender equity across different societal sectors.
- Historical evolution of women's roles in the FRG and GDR.
- Comparative analysis of three generations of women.
- Assessment of gender equality in professional life and employment.
- Examination of household chore distribution and caregiving dynamics.
- The impact of socioeconomic and cultural factors on gender identity.
Excerpt from the Book
Adolescence and young adulthood (15 years) between 1950 and 1975
Mrs X is 78 years old. When she was 15 her younger brother was 13 years old. Her mother took care of the household, while her father went to work. The kids didn’t really help in the household. They mostly did their schoolwork. Mrs X sometimes helped her mother press duvet covers. Her brother didn’t help in the household, which was typical for boys. The children had very little to say in the household. If they wanted to have some food out of the fridge, they had to ask for permission first.
At the age of 15, Mrs X went to an all girls’ school. During breaks she talked to her girlfriends about actors they liked.
Her first boyfriend was the son of the neighbours, whom she often went biking with. Even though their parents knew each other, her parents didn’t really approve of their relationship. They thought she should wait to have a boyfriend until she was planning on getting married. Having a relationship with a boy at such a young age was very unusual at that point in time.
Chapter Summaries
ROLE OF WOMEN SINCE 1950: This chapter covers the difficult post-war situation, where women were responsible for clearing debris and fulfilling traditional roles characterized by the "three K's" (Kinder, Küche, Kirche).
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (FRG) UNTIL 1989: Describes a conservative society where legal rights were limited and the husband often dictated a woman's ability to work, until the women's movement began to initiate change.
GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (GDR) UNTIL 1989: Details how the socialist state integrated women into the workforce and promoted maternity benefits and advanced training to foster a new self-confident female identity.
PRESENT (1989-TODAY): Analyzes the post-unification labor market shifts and utilizes the Gender Development Index to compare Germany's standing internationally.
CASES OF THREE GENERATIONS: ROLES, IDENTITY AND BEHAVIOUR OF WOMEN: Presents interview findings from three women, highlighting the contrasting social expectations and personal freedoms experienced by different generations.
WOMEN AT WORK: Concludes that while significant progress has been made regarding rights and employment, gender equality in the workforce has evolved substantially since the 1950s.
SHARING HOUSEHOLD AND CARE TAKING CHORES: Concludes that while household equity has improved, the traditional risk of domestic burden remains a concern for younger generations.
Keywords
Gender equity, Post-war Germany, FRG, GDR, Women's movement, Household chores, Employment, Gender Development Index, Generational change, Social identity, Empowerment, Work-life balance, Childcare, Traditional roles, Emancipation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This paper examines the development and transformation of women's roles in German society from the post-war period (1950s) to the present day.
What are the key areas of interest?
The study centers on the family, education, and community involvement as key sectors where gender roles and identity have shifted over time.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to determine whether and how the roles and identities of women in Germany have changed to achieve greater gender equity.
Which methodologies were applied?
The author conducted a two-fold approach: a literature review on the history of women's roles in Germany and qualitative interviews with women from three different generations.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main part covers the historical context of the FRG and GDR, current global rankings of gender equality, and personal insights from interviews regarding life at age 15 across different decades.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Gender equity, Women's movement, FRG, GDR, social identity, and household management.
How did the role of the "Trümmerfrau" shape the post-war era?
The "Trümmerfrau" or "woman who cleared debris" became a symbol for the immense physical burden and the self-evident role women played in rebuilding the destroyed country.
What unique insights do the interviews provide?
The interviews demonstrate a clear shift from the restrictive, husband-dependent lives of the 1950s to the more independent, career-oriented aspirations of the modern generation.
What does the author suggest to ensure future equality?
The author argues for more family-friendly facilities, modeled after the GDR's approach, to help women balance career ambitions with starting a family without being forced out of the labor market.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Antonia Fischer (Autor:in), 2015, The Development of Women’s Roles in Germany Since World War II, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/367783
