My Second Life: East German Women in a Changed World

When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, a way of life was also dismantled. Cultural anthropologist Dee Aker introduces us to a broad spectrum of working age women, who comment on the perks and problems of life before and after this event. Prior to 1989, socialist society needed women to work and reproduce. Incentives such as cash bonuses, generous maternity leave, unlimited leave of absence and job security resulted in a 90% employment rate for East German women. A woman's paradise? Not necessarily. We learn that despite a constitutionally guaranteed right to work, women lived in a state of "half emancipation," with few women in high ranking positions and little division of labor at home. Day care centers were crowded and included political indoctrination. In the 90's, under a capitalist system, these same women are confronting problems in maintaining job and family life. While the standard of living has improved if one has a partner, older women and single mothers have been hard hit. Gradually, women have begun to take matters into their own hands, forming centers where women can find the resources to cope and change. The program ends on an optimistic note, observing that while life is now more stressful, in many ways it is also more colorful and interesting. A strong follow-up to the filmmaker's earlier Test the West! (VL-9/94). Recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)