The Daily Life of Russian Peasant Women

Abstract

This chapter examines peasant women as the symbol of Russian village life in the twentieth century. Soviet women constituted the main labour force in rural production. They formed the rural intelligentsia, but were denied significant input to village decision-making. Their lives revolved around their work requirements, housework, care for their children and husband, rare short holidays and spending time with neighbours. Yet peasant women skilfully used Soviet policy to defend their political and social rights. Russian peasant women eventually became a leading and recognised public force in the village and began to shape public opinion. The modern Russian village is founded on women’s work, and most village institutions of power over time came to be headed by women. In terms of the post-Soviet reality of rural life, it is peasant women who assume the authority and responsibility for the future of the village.