Društveni položaj žena u Republici Hrvatskoj: žena i obitelj (1999. – 2016.)

Abstract

The conducted longitudinal research (1999-2016) about young, educated examinees’ perception on changes in typical women and men roles showed a high degree of egalitarism in the Croatian public sphere, controlled by different kinds of profession and role characteristics. On the other hand, in the private sphere, it was shown that women today have an even more difficult role in the family than before – women again play their traditional roles, such as taking care of children and the elderly, taking them to doctors, taking part in parents’ meetings in schools. Men tend to help them in their housework, but participate less in activities connected to children, their education and upbringing. This increases men’s chance in employment and professional development. Consequently, women still dominantly spend their free time on family matters and taking care of their personal appearance, unlike men, who spend their free time mostly on themselves. Although typical modern family and egalitarian relations are still an ideal for the young, the practice is a bit different than in 1999. The continuation of cumulating roles for women, the modern and traditional ones, without redistribution, raises the question whether traditional understandings or “traditionalities of necessity” are strengthened in response to leaving the responsibility for organization of family life exclusively to individuals.