Background

Traditional gender conceptions accompanied by gender stereotypes, gendered work distribution, and unequal economic realities are still to be talked about. We see current critical tendencies to illustrate that.

In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can see that these expectations are deeply rooted in our society and the impact they have on different genders. Multiple pressures are put on women during the times of distance learning, home office, and lockdowns.¹

In addition, the so-called “tradwives” and their supporters propagate an image for women that is based on the “natural” and exclusive determination of women to be a mother and housewife and focus on a role image of the 1950s connected with right-wing ideology.²

Because of this, young people must think about these topics critically and realize its connections and impacts.

The following exercise broaches the issue of change and continuity in the context of gender roles and relationships, and it allows thinking about these topics in a creative way. In this exercise, the participants work with historical developments, the legal framework in Austria, and the impact these have on people regarding gender and economy. The 1960s and the current time can act as a baseline and consequently show still existing inequalities and problems. A view to the future can also show the need for action and start a conversation about necessary changes and positive future visions.

The exercise is easy to modify in terms of country-specific legal conditions.

PRACTICAL NOTES

Group size

The exercise is suitable for variable group sizes. Depending on the group, it is also possible to write and discuss the stories in small groups.

Duration

• introduction and clarification of the legal framework: 15 minutes
• writing of the story, (in the 1960s and the present time): 20–30 minutes
• reading out loud, presentation, discussion: depending on the group: 15–30 minutes
• future visions: 10–15 minutes
• presentation and discussion: depending on the group 10–20 minutes

Materials

• paper and pencils
• legal framework (printed on blackboard/flipchart, written, or as a presentation)

STRUCTURE AND INSTRUCTIONS

This exercise consists of several steps: introduction of the exercise plus explanation of the legal framework, writing of the story (in the 1960s and the present time), reading out loud, presenting and discussion of the stories, and working on the future visions.

The participants should write two fictional stories. The first story starts with a young woman who lives in Austria in the 1960s and gets to know a man. 

How does this story continue? Important in this story are the areas of relationship (marriage, separation, divorce), education, work, and family planning.

• The woman needs approval of her husband or father if she wants to work.
• The woman needs to take the name of her husband if she wants to get married.
• The man alone can decide about the children.
• There is no parental leave for fathers.
• If the mother is not married, the district administrative authority has guardianship for the children. If the mother wants the guardianship, she has to file an application.
• In the case of a divorce, the husband gets the child custody.
• In the case of a divorce, the money acquired during the marriage belongs to the man.

The participants must choose one fitting legal framework. One specification could be that the participants must choose at least 3 of the frameworks.

After this, the participants write another story that takes place in the present time. If necessary, there can be further explanation of the legal framework. The participants who want to read their stories out loud can do this now. They can also talk about what they were thinking about when they wrote it. Afterwards, gender roles and the law framework of the 1960s can be viewed from a perspective of the present time. Possible questions can be:

• How was it to write that story?

• What did you think about?

• What has changed?

• What stayed the same?

• What still has to change?

In the third part, a story about future visions or a group work about future visions can take place. 

• How will the story look in the future? For example in 2050?

• What has changed? What should have changed?

• What stayed the same? What should have stayed the same?

• What are you wishing for in the future regarding these stories?

Legal Background

Background of this exercise are following legal regulations and changes in Austria: 

1975: The man is no longer the family head. Women are allowed to work without their husband's permission, co-decide the residence and choose the family name. 

1977: “Paternal Violence” is abolished. Until then, a man could solely decide about the children and was given sole custody after a divorce. Now father and mother share the same rights and duties towards their children. 

1978: Reorganisation of the matrimonial property regimes: in case of divorce, assets acquired during the marriage, will be shared, before the man received them.  

1989: Unmarried mothers are on equal footing with married ones. Before, the district authorities automatically became the legal guardian, the mother only received guardianship by filing an application. 

1989: Rape in marriage becomes a criminal offence.

1990: Paternal leave is introduced.¹

Downloadables

• Handout – Changing Gender Roles