Communes: the Reality Flashcards
What was the impact of eating in canteens on family life? What was the quality of the food like?
Traditional family meals were replaced by eating in halls.
Time was wasted travelling to and from Mess Halls where the food quality was poor. Often there was not enough food.
What was the impact of ‘happiness homes’ on the elderly?
Grandparents became isolated from their relatives and were lonely.
What was the impact of kindergartens on children and family life?
Parents lost influence in raising their children and family life was practically non-existant.
What types of work were women expected to do?
Women were forced to carry out harsh physical labour, even if they were pregnant often resulting in miscarriages.
What types of abuse were inflicted on women by party cadres?
Party cadre took advantage of women being away from their husbands and often sexually assaulted or raped them. In only commune two part officials raped a total of 34 women.
