While a sexual revolution was developing in post-war Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, European countries ruled by communist regimes remained more conservative and restrictive of sexual expression. Yet, some researchers have suggested that socialist regimes may have paradoxically contributed to some form of sexual revolution, particularly through women's economic independence. As the author of her new study, Gabriela Gore-Gorszewska focused on examining how socialist norms, especially officially proclaimed gender equality, have influenced women's perceptions and expressions of sexuality in their private lives.
Gabriela Gore-Gorszewska carried out the study in collaboration with one of the most prominent sexuality researchers, Aleksandar Štulhofer from the University of Zagreb. The research provides insight into the life stories of older women in Poland and Croatia and reveals how socialism has affected their belief in equality and their awareness of their own sexuality. The research involved in-depth qualitative interviews with 35 women aged 65 to 93. The interviews covered topics such as partner and sexual history, attitudes towards sexuality in older age, and the impact of living conditions on their sexuality.
Despite officially declared gender equality, the lives of most women interviewed were governed by traditional gender roles and conservatism in sexuality. A common theme was a 'sex-negative' family environment where young girls were encouraged to see sexuality as a dangerous and risky area of life. This environment included, for example, withholding information about the body and sexuality, with the mothers of the women interviewed often avoiding discussions about menstruation and sexual matters, or presenting them as something shameful. These factors had a long-lasting effect on the interviewees' attitudes towards their bodies, intimate relationships and self-worth. Many women also reported that their marriages were characterized by inequality and restrictions on sexual autonomy. Some husbands were authoritarian and their approach to sex focused only on satisfying their own needs and limiting their wives' sexual activities.
On the other hand, several women reported that finding a loving and respectful partner had significantly changed their perspective on sexuality. In these cases, relationships based on equality and mutual support helped women to gain more control over their own lives and a sense of self-worth, suggesting that individual relationships can overcome social and cultural barriers. The second way that the authors identified as positive for the development of women's sexuality was rebellion. Some women chose to actively resist 'sex-negative' norms and sought ways to enjoy sexuality on their own terms, which contributed to their sexual experience.
The study highlighted that real gender equality in women's private lives remained largely unattained during socialism in Poland and Croatia. Traditional values and patriarchal norms persisted in the private sphere, which had a major impact on women's intimate lives. At the same time, however, research highlights that supportive and equal relationships can have a transformative effect on women's sexuality. Thus, the results highlight that women's sexuality is not just a passive reflection of dominant social norms, but a complex process of negotiating personal, familial, partner and community expectations and socio-economic pressures in different areas of their lives. These insights can be used to support improvements in gender equality and sexuality education today, and reflection on past regimes can help us understand that formal declarations are not enough - real change requires systematic support on the ground.
Recommended citation:
Gore-Gorszewska, G., Štulhofer, A. (2024). The Myth of Gender Equality? Older Women’s Narratives on Sexuality Under State Socialism. Sexuality & Culture, 28, 2698–2719. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-024-10250-y
Gabriela Gore-Gorszewska, PhD.
Team Health, media and sexuality
g.gore@fss.muni.cz
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Our members Anna Ševčíková and Gabriela Gore-Gorszewska attended the conference of The European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) in Vienna. The ESSM aims to promote sexual health and the highest standards of evidence-based clinical care in sexual medicine through education, research and health care formulation.
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