Identity, Dissatisfaction and Political Activity - The Experience of East German women since Unification

Contents

1. Feminist ideology in East and West the potential for conflict

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Defining feminism and emancipation

1.3 Approaches to feminism in East and West

1.3.1 Marxist Feminism in the GDR

1.3.2 Conservatism, Liberal, Marxist and Radical Feminism in the Federal Republic

1.3.3 An evaluation of feminism in East and West

1.4 Feminist voices in East and West

1.4.1 East German disappointment and dissatisfaction

1.4.2 The western countervoice

1.4.3 The meeting of East and West

1.5 Conclusion

2. Public policy and the realities of female emancipation in the GDR

2.1 Introduction – opinion and reality

2.2 Public policy and equality legislation

2.3 Realities of emancipation in East and West

2.3.1 Emancipation in education

2.3.2 Female employment

2.3.3 Political representation

2.3.4 Personal relationships, family life and the ‘Doppelbelastung’

2.3.5 An evaluation of realities

2.4. Conclusion

3. East-German distinctiveness

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The influence of events since reunification on identity

3.3 The socialist legacy

3.3.1 Work as ‘selbstverständlich’ and emancipatory

3.3.2 East German women and the family

3.3.3 Awareness of ‘feminist’ issues

3.3.4 Attitudes towards the GDR and the Federal Republic

3.3.5 East German feminists

3.3.6 The younger generation

3.4 Conclusion

4. Dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Dissatisfaction with the position of women in the Federal Republic

4.2.1 Dissatisfaction with female unemployment and access to work

4.2.2 Rejection of the choice between a career and children

4.2.3 Dissatisfaction with the changing role, status and image of women

4.2.4 Dissatisfaction with patriarchal structures and discrimination

4.2.5 Dissatisfaction with their relationship with west German women

4.3 General dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic

4.3.1 Dissatisfaction with the market economy/consumerism

4.3.2 Dissatisfaction with democracy

4.3.3 General legitimacy

4.4 Conclusion

5. Political activity and mobilisation

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Women’s groups in the GDR/Saxony Anhalt prior to unification

5.3 The rise and fall for the UFV

5.4 Women’s groups in Saxony Anhalt 10 years after unification

5.4.1 ‘Das Gleichstellungsamt’, Magdeburg

5.4.2 ‘Die Fraueninitiative’

5.4.3 ‚ROSA’ – ‚Arbeitsvermittlung für Frauen’

5.4.4 ‚Bürgerinitiative gegen das Kitagesetz’

5.4.5 ‚Arbeitsgemeinschaft Sozialistischer Frauen’

5.4.6. Communication Centres ‚Etgersleben’ and ‚Laura’, Staßfurt

5.4.7 Summary of case studies

5.5 Political activity and disempowerment

5.6 East German women’s achievements

5.7 Conclusion

Objectives & Research Focus

This work investigates the integration of East German women into the political, legal, and economic system of the Federal Republic following unification, examining how their prior socialisation and status as perceived "losers of unification" influence their identity, dissatisfaction, and political activity.

• Comparison of feminist ideologies in the GDR and the Federal Republic.
• Analysis of public policy and the reality of female emancipation in both states.
• Investigation of East German women's distinctive identity and the "socialist legacy."
• Exploration of levels and sources of dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic.
• Documentation of political activity, mobilization, and women's groups in the new states.

Book Excerpt

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1: This chapter establishes a foundation for understanding the unique status of East German women by comparing feminist ideologies in the GDR and the Federal Republic.

Chapter 2: This chapter examines the feminist environment in each state, comparing government policy and legislation with the actual realities of women's everyday lives.

Chapter 3: This chapter explores the existence of a unique identity among East German women, focusing on the connection between current attitudes and the socialist legacy.

Chapter 4: This chapter investigates the current levels of dissatisfaction East German women feel toward their situation in the Federal Republic.

Chapter 5: This chapter explores the link between dissatisfaction and political mobilization, analyzing women's groups in Saxony Anhalt and their political achievements.

Key Words

German Unification, East German women, Marxist Feminism, Gender Equality, Socialisation, Emancipation, Employment, Dissatisfaction, Identity, Socialist Legacy, Political Mobilisation, Women's groups, GDR, Federal Republic, Doppelbelastung.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this research?

The book focuses on the integration of East German women into the political, legal, and economic system of the Federal Republic of Germany after 1990 and explores how their experience in the GDR shapes their current identity and political behavior.

What are the primary thematic fields?

The central themes include feminist ideology, public policy regarding equality, the impact of the socialist legacy on identity, sources of dissatisfaction with the new system, and the nature of political mobilization among women in the new states.

What is the main research objective?

The goal is to determine whether East German women constitute a unique social group with distinct values, to identify the sources of their dissatisfaction, and to assess whether this dissatisfaction leads to political organization.

Which methodology is applied?

The work combines a review of academic literature and post-unification publications with an analysis of empirical data gathered from over 80 oral history interviews with women in Saxony Anhalt.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The book details the comparative feminist environments, the realities of emancipation in both states, the formation of a distinct East German identity, the various sources of dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic, and case studies of women's political groups.

Which keywords define this study?

Key terms include German Unification, East German women, Marxist Feminism, Gender Equality, Socialist Legacy, Identity, and Political Mobilisation.

How does the author define the "Doppelbelastung"?

The author discusses the "dual burden" of family and employment in the GDR and how, although it was a heavy workload, it was rendered more manageable by state support and became an essential component of East German women's lives.

What is the "western countervoice"?

The "western countervoice" refers to the tendency of western feminist authors to deny the basis of East German women's disappointment, often questioning their feminist awareness and viewing their GDR experience as mere manipulation rather than genuine achievement.

What is the significance of the UFV?

The "Unabhängiger Frauenverband" (UFV) represents a critical moment in the transition period, demonstrating the strong feminist political will and organizing capacity of East German women during the peaceful revolution.