Polish society in terms of sex is quite conservative, although it likes to look into someone else's bedroom. Regardless of the political system. What was the intimate life of our compatriots like in the times of People's Poland?
Researching and writing about Polish sexuality is a big problem. It does not matter whether we are describing the Middle Ages, the Renaissance or the world today. Even today, the issue of intimate life in Poland is a taboo subject that is rarely discussed in public. The few works by historians that have appeared in recent years most often evoke a smile of indulgence. Only the actions of politicians brought sexuality to the streets.
What was sex like during the People's Republic of Poland? Historian, professor Marcin Kula in the introduction to the book "Problems with sex in the People's Republic of Poland" writes:
Designed as an all-encompassing regime, communism spoke out on every topic - including on matters commonly regarded as intimate. On the official level, he was very moral. (...) In reality, everything was different, of course - both among the party notables and among the more average people. Communism (...) resembled a closed community where everything is fine on the surface of phenomena, and sex is not even discussed - while various things are happening in the bushes.
This is also how sex was in reality in the People's Republic of Poland. Both the representatives of state authorities and the society had a façade morality. It was strengthened by the position of the Polish Church, which, despite the limitations of the rulers, was very strong. In addition, the Puritan morality of interwar generations influenced the perception of sex as something wrong.
Sons and Daughters of Venus
Right after the end of World War II, not only the right-wing underground, ordinary bandits and Ukrainian militias kept their eyes on the communist authorities. At that time, Poland was fighting a real epidemic of… venereal diseases.
In 1947, there were four times more people infected with syphilis, gonorrhea or scabies than before the war . The Ministry of Health launched "Action W", which was aimed at putting an end to the "plague". Brochures were prepared, instructions for doctors were issued, and propaganda films were made and shown in cinemas during evening screenings. By the summer of 1948 alone, nearly half a million leaflets had been printed.
In 1946, Bolesław Bierut announced a decree on combating venereal diseases
The talks and trainings could not cope with the raging plague, so legal sanctions were used. In 1946, Bolesław Bierut announced a decree on combating venereal diseases, in which it was stated that "a person who hides his venereal disease, does not undergo compulsory examination or discontinues treatment commits a crime". Penalty:two weeks in custody or a fine plus a ban on marriage, and in the case of the infected person who has already changed his marital status, a court order for divorce.
Abortion problem
The issue of abortion in Polish legislation dragged on since independence was regained and it was impossible to deal with it in any way. Too many groups of mutually exclusive interests meant that virtually no one was satisfied with the laws in force. This problem spread to post-war Poland.
Debates in the People's Republic of Poland on abortion dragged on for a very long time and the law was not passed until April 27, 1956. She allowed abortion in all situations. This marked a departure from the conservative record that had been in force since the 1920s. The authorities of the People's Republic of Poland believed that this was a very important step towards the equality of women.
Looking at Gomułka's views, one might wonder why he agreed to such liberal regulations. The answer was very simple, and the reason was his pragmatism. Such and no other decision resulted from the economic difficulties that then hit Poland. The first secretary of the Central Committee of the PZPR was concerned about… jobs.
Later, the liberal law was even more liberated! Interestingly, this did not lead to a wave of abortions, on the contrary - the number of procedures performed decreased. Especially in illegal centers.
As recalled by women who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, abortions were quite common due to the lack of contraceptives. Condoms could be bought, yes, but for a young boy it was a very embarrassing trip, and it was almost unthinkable for a girl to buy a condom. Generally speaking, it was not the parents' responsibility to make young people aware of it. Sex was a taboo subject all the time.
Sex education
In the 1950s, information brochures appeared, distributed in primary schools in the early 1990s under the title "What every boy should know?" and "What should every girl know?". It was the main source of knowledge for many.
The books dealt with differences in build, puberty, menstruation, conception, pregnancy, STDs, and masturbation, which they presented as a deviation from the norm . Fortunately, since the editions of the 1980s, this notation has disappeared.
The cult textbook for that generation and many others was "The Art of Loving" by Michalina Wisłocka
Thus, the greatest knowledge was acquired at home. In families, girls have been made aware of the fact that boys only want one thing and that under no circumstances can it be given to them, and that virtue is a woman's highest good. Sex was not a pleasure, but a woman's duty to satisfy men's desires. And this is only after the wedding. Before that, sex was evil and a sin. Most of the boys were not made aware of it at all. About what else the penis can be used for, they found out by the way.
"Various things are happening in the bushes"
Most often, young people did not do anything about their parents' orders and prohibitions. Teenagers sometimes even traveled many kilometers by bicycle or on foot to get to play in the city or in another village. There, "theory was put into practice", although sex was still not spoken of directly. The feelings were discussed among themselves, not the physical aspect of the relationship.
You searched for instructions and knowledge on your own. The cult textbook for that generation, as well as for many others, was "The Art of Loving" by Michalina Wisłocka, which was first read in secret, and after the little Polish sexual revolution, it began to be read openly.
Sexual revolution
The first symptom of the upcoming changes was Huebner's 1972 film Sexolaters. It tells the story of two teenagers who live together and openly coexist, which shocks their surroundings. It was perhaps the first painting that he spoke so openly about sex and contraception. After him, things went downhill, especially during the reign of Gierek - in the years of opening to the West.
Sex was increasingly portrayed as natural Nudity was seen on television screens, and human sexuality was discussed more widely in schools. Although the intimate life was still closed in an ideological envelope, this time it was to serve the good of the party and the nation. However, it still had to wait for full release…
Bibliography:
- Barański P., Czajkowska A., Fiedotow A., Wochna-Tymińska A., Problems with sex in the Polish People's Republic. Giving birth not entirely human, abortion, diseases, otherness , WUW and IPN 2013.
- Tomasik K., Gejerel. Sexual minorities in the People's Republic of Poland , Ed. Krytyka Polityczna 2012.
- Werblan A., Władysław Gomułka. PPR General Secretary , Book and Knowledge 1988.