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

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Chapter 1
  • Introduction
  • Defining feminism and emancipation
  • Approaches to feminism in East and West
    • Marxist Feminism in the GDR
    • Conservatism, Liberal, Marxist and Radical Feminism in the Federal Republic
    • An evaluation of feminism in East and West
  • Feminist voices in East and West
    • East German disappointment and dissatisfaction
    • The western countervoice
    • The meeting of East and West
  • Conclusion
• Chapter 2
  • Introduction - opinion and reality
  • Public policy and equality legislation
  • Realities of emancipation in East and West
    • Emancipation in education
    • Female employment
    • Political representation
    • Personal relationships, family life and the ‘Doppelbelastung’
    • An evaluation of realities
  • Conclusion
• Chapter 3
  • Introduction
  • The influence of events since reunification on identity
  • The socialist legacy
    • Work as 'selbstverständlich' and emancipatory
    • East German women and the family
    • Awareness of 'feminist' issues
    • Attitudes towards the GDR and the Federal Republic
    • East German feminists
    • The younger generation
  • Conclusion
• Chapter 4
  • Introduction
  • Dissatisfaction with the position of women in the Federal Republic
    • Dissatisfaction with female unemployment and access to work
    • Rejection of the choice between a career and children
    • Dissatisfaction with the changing role, status and image of women
    • Dissatisfaction with patriarchal structures and discrimination
    • Dissatisfaction with their relationship with west German women
  • General dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic
    • Dissatisfaction with the market economy/consumerism
    • Dissatisfaction with democracy
    • General legitimacy
  • Conclusion
• Chapter 5
  • Introduction
  • Women's groups in the GDR/Saxony Anhalt prior to unification
  • The rise and fall for the UFV
  • Women's groups in Saxony Anhalt 10 years after unification
    • 'Das Gleichstellungsamt', Magdeburg
    • ‘Die Fraueninitiative’
    • ,ROSA,Arbeitsvermittlung für Frauen’
    • ‚Bürgerinitiative gegen das Kitagesetz’
    • ,Arbeitsgemeinschaft Sozialistischer Frauen’
    • Communication Centres,Etgersleben' and,Laura', Staßfurt
  • Summary of case studies
  • Political activity and disempowerment
  • East German women's achievements
  • Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book investigates the integration of East German women into the new political, legal, and economic system of the reunified Germany. It examines the impact of unification on their lives, focusing specifically on the challenges they faced and their role in shaping women's politics and employment policies. The study also explores the differences between East and West German women's experiences and whether these differences have led to variations in feminist values and expectations.

• The impact of German unification on East German women
• The differences in feminist values and expectations between East and West German women.
• The role of East German women in shaping women's politics and employment policies.
• The experiences of East German women in the new political, legal, and economic system of the Federal Republic.
• The potential for East German women's dissatisfaction with their new status to fuel their political activism.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Feminist ideology in East and West - the potential for conflict: This chapter explores the differences in feminist ideologies between the GDR and the Federal Republic, examining the potential for conflict in the post-unification era. It delves into the definitions of feminism and emancipation in both East and West, discussing Marxist Feminism in the GDR and the various feminist approaches in the Federal Republic. Additionally, the chapter examines the perspectives of feminist voices in East and West, analyzing the disappointments and dissatisfactions of East German women, the counterarguments from the West, and the challenges of bridging these perspectives.
• Chapter 2: Public policy and the realities of female emancipation in the GDR: This chapter examines the public policies and legislation concerning female emancipation in the GDR, comparing the reality of these policies with the experiences of women. It analyzes the gap between official pronouncements and the lived experiences of women in education, employment, political representation, and family life. The chapter also discusses the concept of "Doppelbelastung," the double burden faced by women in balancing work and family responsibilities.
• Chapter 3: East-German distinctiveness: This chapter explores the factors contributing to East German women's unique identity in the reunified Germany. It examines the impact of post-unification events on their identity, delving into the legacy of socialism and its impact on concepts of work, family, and feminist issues. The chapter further analyzes the attitudes of East German women towards the GDR and the Federal Republic, exploring the experiences of East German feminists and the perspective of the younger generation.
• Chapter 4: Dissatisfaction with the Federal Republic: This chapter examines the sources of dissatisfaction among East German women with their lives in the Federal Republic. It focuses on their perceptions of the position of women in the Federal Republic, including their dissatisfaction with female unemployment, the perceived choice between career and family, and the changing role, status, and image of women. The chapter also explores their critiques of the market economy, democracy, and patriarchal structures in the Federal Republic.
• Chapter 5: Political activity and mobilisation: This chapter examines the forms of political activity and mobilization undertaken by East German women in response to their experiences in the unified Germany. It investigates the rise and decline of women's groups in the GDR and Saxony-Anhalt, examining specific cases of women's organizations and their impact on political discourse. The chapter explores the motivations and challenges faced by these groups, analyzing their role in promoting women's rights and addressing issues of gender equality in the context of the reunified Germany.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study delves into the key issues of German reunification, East German women's integration, feminist ideology, emancipation, and the impact of unification on their social and political roles. Key terms encompass political activity, women's groups, employment policies, social change, and the differing experiences of women in East and West Germany. The research explores the concept of "Doppelbelastung," the challenges faced by women in balancing work and family responsibilities, and analyzes the impact of the socialist legacy on East German women's lives.