The Role of Evolution of Women’s Gender Roles in Shaping National Identity and Developing Ukrainian Culture (Second Half of the 19th Century – Early 20th Century)

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to determine the significance of the gender evolution of Ukrainian women’s roles in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries for the further formation of national identity and the development of Ukrainian culture. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach, combining the principles of cultural studies, history, and psychology, using historical-cultural and comparative methods, as well as cultural analysis to identify and compare the main gender roles of Ukrainian women. Scientific novelty lies in highlighting the gender evolution of the roles of Ukrainian women during the formation of the Ukrainian nation in the cultural sphere in the context of the formation of national identity and the development of Ukrainian culture. Conclusions. Tracking the evolution of gender roles of Ukrainian women in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, it can be noted that women in Ukraine traditionally played the role of mothers and wives. However, in the second half of the 19th century, several other gender roles for women emerged, which became decisive for social and cultural life in the 20th century. The evolution of gender roles during the period under study was uneven, as most of the changes took place among the urban population and the intelligentsia, while rural women remained limited by traditional ideas about their roles. The coincidence of the spread of ideas of Ukrainian national revival and democratisation of society with the development of feminist views contributed to the further development of Ukrainian culture, in particular literature and education, where women gained the opportunity for self-expression, which contributed to the emergence of a new Ukrainian female archetype and the formation of Ukrainian national identity.