The Myth of Motherhood in Communist and Postcommunist Romania: From Pro-Natalist Policies to Neoliberal Views

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Author(s): Roxana-Elisabeta Marinescu (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)
Copyright: 2021
Pages: 19
Source title: Handbook of Research on Translating Myth and Reality in Women Imagery Across Disciplines
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Roxana Ciolăneanu (University of Lisbon, Portugal)and Roxana-Elisabeta Marinescu (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-6458-5.ch007

Keywords: Communication Studies / Education / Gender and Diversity / Information Science Reference

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Abstract

This chapter analyses how the myth of motherhood was construed and enforced on Romanian women in two recent epochs. While in the latter part of communism women were expected to be “mothers of the nation” and produce five or more children for the country and the party, due to an infamous decree passed in 1966, the postcommunist period saw the same pressure put on women to fulfill their “patriotic duty,” this time in the neoliberal logic and in congruence with the Western model. Women imagery is consistent with this role, and this chapter provides insights into how primary school textbooks, together with the main documents and legal initiatives of the two periods, impacted the social expectations of motherhood and affected the Romanian women.

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The Myth of Motherhood in Communist and Postcommunist Romania: From Pro-Natalist Policies to Neoliberal Views

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