Feb 13 • 19:07 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

Raising Girls in Soviet Times: The Oddities of Sexual Education in a Special Textbook

The article discusses how a special Soviet-era textbook outlined the ideal characteristics and roles of girls, focusing on preparing them for domestic roles and societal expectations.

The article explores a specific textbook from the Soviet era that defined the ideal qualities of a girl, emphasizing her role as a future wife, mother, and worker. The narrative reflects societal expectations prevalent during that time, where girls were taught to be good, kind, modest, friendly, and hardworking. This portrayal indicates a lack of consideration for girls as independent individuals, instead defining them primarily by their future responsibilities in the domestic sphere.

Moreover, the article highlights the rigorous expectations placed on young girls regarding their daily lives. According to the textbook, a well-raised girl was one who not only managed household duties and took care of children and husbands but also did so while maintaining composure and politeness. The article criticizes the societal norm that even rest for girls had to be productive, implying that engaging in leisure activities without a clear purpose was frowned upon. This attitude illustrates how deeply ingrained the work ethic was in the upbringing of girls during the Soviet period.

Finally, the implications of such teachings are significant, as they reveal the restrictive nature of gender roles promoted in Soviet society. By emphasizing a narrow definition of women’s roles and capabilities, the education system sought to mold future generations to fit a particular societal mold, potentially stifling personal ambitions and individuality. The textbook serves not only as an educational tool but also as a historical artifact reflecting the broader social values and expectations of women during that time.

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