ch 22

Communist Feminism

            As Communist countries began to develop a lot of their effort when into liberating and mobilizing the women of their countries, Western countries adopted these ideas later. These movements were largely state directed. In Russia or the USSR, women were declared full legal and political equality. After years and years of inequality women were now able to divorce easily. Before this became easier, women who were in abusive marriages or were unhappy for some reason were no able to leave, with these new freedoms women could now be happier and gained more freedom. Also, abortion was not allowed. Whether people were for or against it, women now had the opportunity to choose what they wanted to do with their bodies. During the industrial revolution, we learned that working conditions were very bad, and no special treatment was given to anyone even those who were pregnant. However, laws were now made to help these women. Pregnancy leave was now available to women who were expecting. Even though it took many years for these types of laws that were beneficial to women to flourish, I am happy that people began to notice that women are just as equal to men, and that we should of received the same rights as men from the very beginning. Lastly, women were now encouraged to work, and support their family. As all of these ideas were taking place in communist areas, the western world was beginning to pick up on these ideas. Thankfully, today women are just as equal as men. I am able to go to school, work, and have laws that protects me if I were ever to get into a troubling situation. I feel bad that women were once prone to such hard life conditions, it is just unfair and it makes me sad to think about it. In communist China, things began to look better for women there as well. The marriage law of 1950 allowed women to marry the man of their choice, and made divorce easier. Also, it was finally an end of concubines and child marriage. Along with all of these other laws, property rights were now given to women. Lastly, in communist china, women became much more active in the workforce.