FINDING THE GOLDEN MEAN BETWEEN FAMILY AN D CAREER WAS ALWAYS THE DECIDING FACTOR - CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF WOMEN IN EASTERN GERMANY

The article fetuses on whether, and to what extent, women in the forme r German Democratic Republic developed subjective orientations and beh avioral patterns that were based on their traditional role in the repr oduction process, the equality they formally enjoyed in the workplace and the ideals proclaimed by the state for them. Select empirical resu lts of the separation of duties in the area of reproduction are presen ted here in the context of the GDR's policy of equality. The article a lso examines whether the political transformations and the difficultie s arising for women who were previously experiencing gainful employmen t as a matter of course have caused them to give up reliable lifestyle and orientation patterns. Finally, work collectives and women's ambiv alence to them an identified as the specific socio-cultural context th at provided most East German women with their social identity.