Uncovering Post-Soviet Gender Roles and Femininity
< Back to Session Search
Daria Diakonova-Curtis, M.A., Tatiana Glebova, Ph.D., and Natalie Porter, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
Using a feminist-informed qualitative framework,
this study explored femininity ideology in women
who live in the US, grew up in the USSR and were
subjected to conflicting messages regarding
gender roles and attitudes. Ten women were
interviewed in Russian or English. Narratives
translated into English were analyzed for themes,
language, and translation discrepancies. Themes
reflected traditional gender ideology including
caretaking and indirect power in relationships.
INTRODUCTION
Gender & Femininity
Ø  Gender is defined as a role, not biological sex;
believed to be cultural1
Ø  Femininity Ideology is a script that guides
socially appropriate behavior for women
Women & the Soviet Union
Ø  Feudal patriarchy before the Russian
Revolution of 1917
Ø  Socialist agenda to eradicate differential
treatment of people based on gender
Ø  The USSR (1922-1991) preserved stereotypical
notions of masculinity and femininity
Ø  Men and women seen as both equal (officially/
in public) yet unequal (socially/in private)
METHOD ANALYSES
Thematic Analysis
Linguistic Analysis
Ø  Process of interviews analyzed for
added meaning
Ø  Specific language use and
translation issues were noted
Subtheme
Caretaking
Family
Domesticity
Work
Appearance
Language
Ø  All interview questions back-translated2 from
English to Russian
Demeanor
Charm/grace/
delicateness
Inner strength
Education/culture
Personal
Determination
Development Vocation/talent
Russia &
Kyrgystan
6
1
M = 28.2
years
Ukraine
1
0
Belarus
25 26 27 29 31 32
Ø  N = 10
Ø  10 identified Russian as native
language
Ø  10 identified as heterosexual
Ø  9 married; 1 single
Ø  5 had children; 5 no children
Non-aggression/passivity
Compromise/
complaisance
Gendered clothing/
products
Sexiness
Modesty/non-vulgarity
3
2
2
Table 1. Themes & Subthemes
of Gender Roles & Femininity:
Theme
Age
Russia only
RESULTS
Procedure
Ø  Inclusion criteria: 25-35 year-old women,
moved to US from the former USSR between
2005–2010
Ø  Answered 9 questions (see some examples in
Table 2) about roles & definitions face-to-face
Country of Origin
1
Ø  Content of interviews analyzed
using a grounded theory
approach
Ø  Thematic analysis used as specific
technique3
Ø  Raw data à Codes à Themes
Indirect
Power
DISCUSSION
PARTICIPANTS
1
1
Religion
Russian
Orthodox
Agnostic
8
Atheist
Interview Process & Linguistic
Characteristics:
Ø  Interviews lasted 14-38 min (M = 24 min) * Women who interviewed in
Language of
English:
Interview
²  4 of 4 were married to
10
6
8
4
6
4
2
0
Russian
English*
American men
²  3 of 4 added
explanations in Russian
Table 2. Answering Process
Question
Process Who or what is Reported feeling
an ideal
woman?
“stuck,” needed
more prompting
What does it
mean to be
feminine?
Defined through
lack of masculinity
What does
being a woman
mean to you?
Defined through
attention from
man
Ø  Roles revolved around taking care of others
Ø  Women largely defined themselves in relation
to others, rather than the self
Ø  Definitions were often based on/in contrast
to general definitions of men and masculinity
Ø  Identities were grounded in a supporting role
in family and relationships
Ø  Majority preferred to speak about identity in
their native Russian language
Ø  Simplistic answers and trouble elaborating
on self-definitions may point to a
subordinate identity as women and inequality
between genders
Ø  Despite propaganda of gender equality in the
public sphere, traditional norms persisted in
the USSR in private
Implications
Ø  Findings highlight the social constructionist
notion of the importance of clients’ social
and linguistic contexts
Ø  Changing the external social system does not
immediately affect private ideologies
Ø  Therapists working with women from the
former USSR need to consider women’s
perceptions of gender roles
Ø  Findings may inform therapists working with
clients from other cultures that uphold
traditional gender roles
Limitations
Language Use
²  The word
“zhenstvennost”
(женственность)
was used to
mean both
“femininity” &
“womanhood”
Ø  Qualitative findings provide depth about
individual experiences, but should not be
generalized to all women from the USSR
Ø  Sample homogeneity may limit conclusions
REFERENCES
American Psychological Association. (2007). Guidelines for Psychological
Practice with Girls and Women. American Psychologist, 62(9), 949-979. 1
Brislin, R. W. (1970). Back-translation for cross-cultural research. Journal of
Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1, 185-216. 2
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology.
Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77-101.
3