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One of the most remarkable changes taking place in Russia after the break-up of the Soviet empire is the radical transformation of Russian women's culture. Despite a historically male-dominated culture, gender awareness has flourished in the 1990s, and is reflected in a new body of women's literature and a new concern for female experience. The prose and poetry included in this anthology examine essential issues in women's lives: women's sexuality, romantic love, motherhood, the economic and political life of women, their struggle to intergrate domestic and professional roles, new family structures, physical health, abortion, rape, and so forth. The issues covered here are common to women everywhere, but the different historical experience of Russian women in the twentieth century has created distinct understandings and values. It was a time of terrible suffering and drudgery for Russian women, who endured decades of war, political and cultural repression, and poverty. Women were given more equality in the workplace, but, as these works show, they were still expected to maintain their roles as conventional wives and mothers.
This anthology explores the profound shifts in Russian women's culture following the Soviet Union's collapse. It presents prose and poetry examining critical aspects of women's lives, including sexuality, love, motherhood, economic and political participation, the integration of domestic and professional roles, evolving family structures, and health concerns like abortion and rape. The works highlight how the unique historical experiences of Russian women in the 20th century, marked by suffering, repression, and poverty, have shaped distinct understandings and values, even as they navigated expectations of equality in the workplace alongside traditional domestic roles.
The collection offers a vital look into the evolving landscape of Russian women's literature and experience in the 1990s. By bringing together diverse voices, it illuminates common global issues through the specific lens of Russian history, providing insight into the resilience and adaptation of women facing significant societal transformations. The anthology serves as a testament to the flourishing of gender awareness and the increasing importance of female perspectives in post-Soviet cultural discourse. It captures a pivotal moment of change, reflecting both the hardships endured and the emerging expressions of female identity.
Page Count:
327
Publication Date:
1995-01-01
ISBN-10:
0875011004
ISBN-13:
9780875011004
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