Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland

Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards
Language:English
Published: The Ohio State University / OhioLINK 2014
Subjects:
Slavic Studies
Gender
East European Studies
History
Poland
Polish exceptionalism
gender
postsocialism
reproductive rights
reproductive legislation
gender construction
European Union
democratization
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397655426
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu13976554262021-08-03T06:24:05Z Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards Slavic Studies Gender East European Studies History Poland Polish exceptionalism gender postsocialism reproductive rights reproductive legislation gender construction European Union democratization Originating in response to Polish partitions of the 18th century, the concept of Polish exceptionalism asserts the cultural uniqueness and superiority of the Polish nation. As the 19th century progressed, this belief in a cultural exceptionalism quickly became gendered with figure of the Matka Polka (Polish Mother). As men went off to battle for national freedom, the Matka Polka became the symbolic protector of the hearth and the reproducer of national culture. Deeply associated with the domestic sphere and essentialized understandings of gender, the Matka Polka proved to be a strong cultural emblem of patriotic motherhood and duty. The deeply entrenched belief in Polish exceptionalism did not end with the partition era, but persevered, from state socialism to membership in the EU. Closely tied to reproduction, the Catholic Church, and cultural conceptions of femininity, exceptionalist appeals to the Matka Polka remain a central component of Polish identity formation. The cultural currency of Polish exceptionalism carried into the abortion debate of the early postsocialist era. Resulting in the revocation of women’s reproductive rights just as the nation gained its independence. The push for restrictive abortion legislation continued in the accession toward EU membership, pulling from nostalgic depictions of the national past in the formulation of a uniquely Polish identity within the shifting political environment. In this thesis, I will argue that appeals to exceptionalism and the political mobilization of the Matka Polka in the postsocialist abortion debate drew on invented traditions of the past and ultimately resulted in a limited, restrictive definition of what it means to be a woman citizen in Poland. 2014-07-09 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397655426 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397655426 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Slavic Studies
Gender
East European Studies
History
Poland
Polish exceptionalism
gender
postsocialism
reproductive rights
reproductive legislation
gender construction
European Union
democratization
spellingShingle Slavic Studies
Gender
East European Studies
History
Poland
Polish exceptionalism
gender
postsocialism
reproductive rights
reproductive legislation
gender construction
European Union
democratization
Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards
Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
author Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards
author_facet Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards
author_sort Chandler, Meagan Genevieve Edwards
title Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
title_short Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
title_full Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
title_fullStr Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
title_full_unstemmed Constructing Polish Exceptionalism: Gender and Reproductive Rights in Poland
title_sort constructing polish exceptionalism: gender and reproductive rights in poland
publisher The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2014
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397655426
work_keys_str_mv AT chandlermeagangenevieveedwards constructingpolishexceptionalismgenderandreproductiverightsinpoland
_version_ 1719436012616155136

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