Gender and Nationalism

Professor: Jagoda Gregulska Student: Envera Sulji Wednesday, 22nd May, 2013

Position paper on Abortion in Hungary

All things in world could be seen from, at least, two perspectives. This would give us better understanding of the world and many problems would be solved faster and more peacefully (perhaps). Two groups that could be main diversifying factor are males and females and their views on the world. If we take a simple fact that world was run by males mostly, what that says to us at the beginning? Is the place of females already decided and if is, who decided about it? This article talks about Hungary in 90s and connects political changes with gendering. It shows how certain things influence each other without any direct relation (or at least visible direct relation). Main argument of the author is that everything is gendered and that politics of reproduction define new generations and are widely accepted. As Hungary went from communism to other form of government in 90s, so does the other aspects of life- economy, private vs. public, mixed roles of men and women, etc. The abortion law was quite liberal until 1989 (a surprising fact if we take into consideration Western/American picture of East Europe), but in 1992 new law set more regulations and is seen by many Hungarian women and international observers as restrictive .1 At this time two main opposing groups were formed: The Defenders of Fetus and on the other side pro- choice liberals. This debate does not includes only these two reasons, but puts reproduction more on political level, connecting it with national pride, spread of national identity, defending civility, etc. Reproduction in these years and under a changing regime was never a decision of a woman, but rather man of the family and in some cases a whole family. It did not have a purpose to save a life of fetus, but more to present better political system. The author stands more on a side of those who are pro- choice and who are arguing that certain things should be left for each women to decide. I agree with him, but not quite strongly as I thought I would.

Gal, Susan Gender in the Post- Socialist Transition: The Abortion Debate in Hungary, page 3

Gender and Nationalism

Professor: Jagoda Gregulska Student: Envera Sulji Wednesday, 22nd May, 2013

Just like in all post- communist countries, Hungary has been a victim of new ideas and new political leaders. Hungarians were used by their leaders and manipulated by their new plans and changing laws just like all people in a region. Abortion debate was used to undermine influence of socialism on emancipation of women and to put them back into houses. All work was on their back, taking care of the children and house and sometimes paid jobs, but due to overwhelming influence of first part they could not focus much on second. Same situation was in Bosnia and Herzegovina and all proves that could be found are presenting those who oppose the rules of majority as bad persons, failing daughters and incapable mothers/ wives. At the near end of the article author said that: The abortion debate makes politics. It also makes political groups, including large political coalitions as well as small womens organizations, a new social strata- new elites vying for mobility during the current restratification of society. But just as surely, politics as constituted by the range of such groups will decide how the new abortion law is put into practice in Hungary. And that, in part will determine what kind of transformation the revol utions of 1989 will turn out to be for women.2 This in best explains all the changes and challenges of those years and role of the abortion debate. I strongly agree that these groups determined all later influence and role of women and would like to use it to remind us all that our voice is important and that we should fight for all that we believe in. Changes and results will come much later.

Gal, Susan Gender in the Post- Socialist Transition: The Abortion Debate in Hungary, page 31