THE RISE AND FALL OF MOMMY POLITICS - FEM INISM AND UNIFICATION IN EAST-GERMANY

The relation of East German women to the State was contradictory. Wome n received significant support for combining paid work and child reari ng, but these gender-specific benefits contributed to cementing the ge nder division of labor in both the family and labor market These contr adictions combined with specific social networks to support a rapid fe minist mobilization. This new women's movement was soon undermined by German unification, which changed the form of politics to electoral co mpetition and shifted priorities to defending rights. However short-li ved, this feminist mobilization offers important perspectives on socia list policy and the value of domestic labor.