What was Life Like for Women in the USSR?

Females. Comrades. Make glory for Soviet Union.

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[carkawalakhatulistiwa]

50% of scientists in the Soviet Union were women and 70% of doctors in the Soviet Union were women

[sofiafesyk]

Made me think of my great grand mother from southern Ukraine. She and her 5 children had to house German soldiers in their house for a few months, when the German troop were stationed in their village.
I can only imagine what she went through. Her husband luckily returned from war. First thing he did, he made shoes for his 5 children who didn’t have any, or whichever they had had been worn out over 5 years he was away.
My other grand mother wasn’t so lucky, her husband died in the eastern front. However she remarried to my grand father, which came out of prison. He was sentenced 10 year for treason for working at the hydroelectric power station under the German occupation.

[codyj]

Look up the "Night Witches". I dont know if that was what Simon was touching on when he spoke about the aviators but it's one hell of a story.

[unknownPLfan]

A surprising cultural difference between communist and many former communist countries and capitalist countries is that despite the large degree of male chauvinism that still exists in those countries with regards to social roles, women are expected to be able to work many of the same jobs as men, and many communist governments did indeed promote maternity leave as well as high quality education for women.

I see this also with the roles women have in my family. My mom was an engineer, and my grandmother was a chemistry teacher, and those were hardly surprising occupations for them to take, unlike with what I've seen in the US and to a large degree western Europe.

[dv]

Side fact: German soldiers who captured female Soviet soldiers were told to immediately **dispatch** them, while the men were sent to the camps for prisoners with jobs.

[leahbray]

Awesome video, I enjoyed it! I’m glad you also mentioned Sabaton! Their song about the Night Witches is amazing. I’ve been waiting for a Sabaton reference lately, what with The Attack of the Dead Men in the recent video from Into the Shadows, and some of the videos mentioning the Winged Hassars.
Simon, if you’re a Sabaton fan, you’re even more of an absolute legend than you were before!

[shonenjumpmagneto]

Reminder: *The USSR* & *Russia* are not the same entity.

Russia was a state of *The USSR.* 1 of 15 States total. No one gets that. Even at the time appreantly, simply watch *"All The Presidents Men" (1976)* & you'll see them call *USSR "Russia"* lmao. It makes sense now. Get it right still!

[Beryllahawk]

Absolutely a gem among the already wonderful videos you do for this channel. Seriously, guys. You knocked it out of the park with this one.

[iainmcculloch]

"Stalin wasn't noted for his empathy". Understatement of the year!

[DUTCHESSMD]

A sad, yet powerful and beautiful story. I kind of feel like it’s Simon’s love letter to the strength and courageous spirit of Soviet women!

[ladymopar]

I suggest taking a better understanding yours was very good you are always good Simon you rock but there is a book it's called over the fields of Fire. It is about a woman who fought alongside the guys during World War 1 and World War II and she flew when she is the most decorated Soviet woman in history but people need to learn history from different countries thanks for putting the spotlight on this subject

[Dee-JayW]

This was common throughout the USSR allied countries, cuba is an excellent example, practically everyone has University degrees, many speak German or Russian, most speak English, even going to Uni in Germany and Russia. Sadly until the illegal blockade of Cuba endemic many of these people will never get to work in their chosen profession. I wish Lenin had not died, leading to Stalin. He was insane.

[RobSchofield]

That was quite excellent - an entertaining and very informative insight. More like this, please!

[shadowfalls]

Yesss, that Sabaton song about the Night witches 🖤💜🖤

[stmlax]

USSR treated women much more equally to men than did western society

[ozwolf]

To follow up you should do a video on women gaining the right to vote in countries before the US. Surprisingly many.

[SeveThePirae]

Unexpected (oddly, maybe) Sabaton reference, I love it. Simon, you earned the like there buddy.

[raykewin]

Well, the Ukraine girls really knock me out.
Moscow girls make me sing and shout.

[sandhilltucker]

Props for pulling out The Chinese Communist Party comparison to stalinism.

[hazmania]

“Shined”? Come on, Big Brain, “Shone”, Simon, “shone”!