Gender Equality in Polish Families – Practices, Generational Shifts and Unfinished Gender Revolution

Based upon the results of a representative survey conducted in Poland in 2015 we will demonstrate the relations between the realities of labor market, work conditions and gender equality in contemporary Polish families and its impact on quality of life of men and women in families.

Using the concept of gender revolution (por Goldscheider et al. 2015) we will discuss continuity and change in Polish families as far as the reconciliation of work-life balance is concerned and the adoption of gender equal practices in Polish families in the context of post-transformation economy.

We will portray the “ordinary family” in the context of neoliberal character and the semi-peripheral position of Polish economy, the unstable working conditions and welfare policies oriented towards maintaining traditional gender order, as well as cultural context especially strong impact of the Catholic Church. We will do so by using intersectional approach, which considers the diverse factors influencing Polish families including place of residence, level of education, income, respondent age, having children, etc.

In our presentation we will focus on the following topics:

• The progress of gender revolution in Polish families.
• The economic resources allocation and its impact on the gender equality and power balance in families.
• Strategies of Polish families aimed at reconciliation of work and family life.
• Generational shifts and the change in the division of domestic tasks in families.

The research was realized in the GEQ Project, financed form Norway Grants.

Goldscheider, F. et al. 2015. The Gender Revolution: A Framework for Understanding Changing Family and Demographic Behavior. Population and Development Review 41, s. 207–239.