A. characteristics of
peasant life
familial solidarity – absolute; loyalty/assistance to family demanded by degree of relation
**husband/wife unit
marriage – not based on love/sex/affection
rather RESPECT
their behaviors reflect upon each other;
do nothing that would lower the social standing of one another’s
families
e.g. shameful for wife to do hired labor
dowry – received by the couple from both sides [still really the communal property of the family because they are part of the family]
couple does not become individualized – a new nucleus but forever tied to the larger family network
parental control/responsibility
LAND – SANCROSANCT
the means of family sustenance
father retires when son becomes more able to manage the farm than he
patriarchy-boys more important than girls – they get the land
pride =
familial, not individual
likewise with shame
**collectivity/family group
identity
not indiv.
reinforced by village, community
B. Is it appropriate to view contemporary E Europeans in terms of peasant culture and sociology?
Did 50 years of communism do
nothing to
changes these norms?
