Women in the Two Germanies: A Comparative Study of a Socialist and a Non-Socialist Society is a comparative study of the status and position of women in socialist East Germany and non-socialist West Germany. Drawing on research carried out in 1977 and 1978, as well as interviews with hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals from all walks of life and from all parts of the two Germanies, this book considers a wide variety of legal, economic, political, and social aspects of life in the two countries, such as equality or the lack thereof under the law, in education, on the job, and in the home.
This monograph is comprised of seven chapters and opens with a brief comparison of East and West Germany and a historical perspective on European men and women, as well as the status of German women before 1945 and after World War II. The discussion then turns to the status and rights of German women under the law, particularly the Constitution, labor law, family law, and social security legislation. The following chapters focus on the employment of women in the two German states; education and training; and in the home and family. Women's organizations, including religious women's organizations, professional women's organizations, and radical women's groups, are also considered.
This text is written primarily for women and should also be of interest to historians, sociologists, social scientists, and policymakers concerned with women's rights.

Contenu

List of Tables and Figures
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction
The Two German States at the Outset: A Brief Comparison
European Men and Women in Historical Perspective: A Few Introductory Comments
The Status of German Women in the Pre-1945 Era: A Brief Summary
The Comparative Status of Women in the Two Post-War Germany's: Some Introductory Observations
Chapter 2 German Women under the Law
Equal Rights under the Constitution
Labor Law
Guaranteed Employment
Equal Remuneration
Paid Maternity Leave
Time off to Take Care of a Sick Child
A Day off for Household Chores
Childcare Facilities
Women's Furtherance
Part-Time Employment
Protective Legislation
Family Law and Social Security Legislation
Divorce
Minimum Age for Marriage
Choice of Family Name
State Child Support
Old Age and Survivors Benefits
Laws on the Interruption of Pregnancies
Chapter 3 German Women at Work
Participation in the Labor Force
Ideological Differences
Differences in Attitudes
Unemployment vs. Labor Shortage
Why German Women Work: Economic and Noneconomic Reasons
Part-Time Employment
What Jobs for German Women
The Reality of "Equal Job Opportunities"
Women in Leading Positions in the Economy
German Women in Public Life
Women in Elected Government Offices
Women in Political Parties
Why Fewer German Women than Men in Politics
Women in Labor Unions
Equal Pay for Equal Work
And What to Do with the Children
Child Care Facilities: Availability and Cost
Quality of Child Care Facilities
Chapter 4 The Education and Training of German Women
Education Starts in the Family
Children's Books
Preschool and Grade School Education
Secondary Education
Vocational Training and Education
Higher Education
Faculty Attitudes toward Female Students
Who Decides Who Goes to College and Who Doesn't
Who Pays for a College Education
And What Do Female German College Students Study
Chapter 5 German Women in the home and family
To Be or Not to Be a "Mere" Housewife? - and Who Should Do the Household Chores Anyway
More Marriages End in Divorce
Chapter 6 Women's Organizations
Regular FRG Women's Organizations
West German Religious Women's Organizations
Associations of West German Professional Women
Women's Groups in West German Political Parties
West German Feminists
The GDR's "Democratic Women's League of Germany"
Chapter 7 Summary and Conclusions
Notes
Glossary
References
List of Periodicals
Index
About the Author