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How do we perceive women in today's world? How do we see Polish women in the perspective of their families? Throughout the centuries, the model of a woman, her needs, desires, and role in the family have changed from one generation to another. It's generally known that up until a couple of decades ago, the woman's place was the kitchen, house, and childcare. These were her priorities: creating pleasant domestic atmosphere, cooking, completing all house chores before the husband's return from work. Very few women worked outside the house, and having a professional career was not an option. Only the most determined females were able to overcome these stereotypes and face social challenges.
A careful look at Polish women today seems to confirm that most of them desire freedom and emancipation. They are open to the world, seek new opportunities, and control their lives. The contemporary Polish females value professional work, in which they show much skill equivalent to the skill of men. The model of a "housewife" falls into oblivion; and men more often share chores "reserved" only for women. Modern Polish women have a completely different perception onto the world from the one known to their mothers. Now, they are independent, although females are still paid less for their job than men. Polish women now are creating a new model of female. They enthusiastically improve their qualifications not because the employers require so, but because they have a need to develop and progress in new uncharted areas.
How important is then a house, children, a family to modern Polish women? All the new trends don't prevent Polish females from their involvement in the family life. The change is only from a very active engagement to a more passive control. Family, as the primary objective of marriage, should become a cohesive group aiming to reach common goals. The typical model places also children in the family's heart.
Men now tend to more often share some of the house chores. Women, therefore, think they should pursue professional careers and become a success. They no longer feel that their place is in the kitchen as "housewives". This change is a result of worldwide emancipation of women. Undergoing changes in Poland foster opportunities for women to become more active and skilled in many new areas. These trends are constantly rising, and there is nothing to indicate a reverse movement. To the contrary, careful observation shows that women have a growing need to prove their value, strength, and self-esteem by expending their interest into new fields. Today's Polish women want to be strong, independent, and appreciated in their environment, especially by men.
The grounds for active careers of Polish women go beyond a simple desire to become independent and appreciated, though. Mentioned earlier, the typical family model, where only the husband worked outside the house and was the sole breadwinner of the family, helps to find another source of women's active approach. While in the past, the salary of one person were sufficient to support the whole family, today, the new economic reality in Poland shrank earnings so much that one person makes only enough for the bear necessities, which doesn't go beyond poverty levels. Thus, the role of a woman today is not only to provide care for the family and house but also to contribute to making a living.
These new circumstances allowed modern women to progress and prove that despite the stereotypes of being weak, they in fact are very strong, even stronger psychically than men. Up until now, being a woman meant seeking one's value. From now on, there no longer are stereotypes of women's lower social position. Women have proven themselves.
Today's perceptions of women's role in the family are far from the traditional views. Contemporary Polish women work as professionals and represent economic value to their families. These women who stay behind in facing those challenges, whether for their timidity or the lack of opportunities, are enviously peeking at the prosperous and successful women who have overcome the obsolete stereotypes.
Ann K., Polish Woman Living in Chicago
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