Through the analysis of Liberal Italy and Fascism, one can see how the 1960 Olympics both continued the autonomous path forged under Mussolini, and simultaneously, challenged the traditional female gender roles, established in this patriarchal society. More specifically, the Olympics enabled Italian women to have a newfound visibility that was not predicated on commodifying one’s body or labor, and ?
From 1862-1922, Italy was in the Liberal period, which was loosely based on the “notions of liberalism, [and included] the idea of the State’s positive role in ensuring all citizens equal protection under the law, equal opportunity to exercise the privileges of citizenship and to participate fully in national life, regardless of race, religion …show more content…
In this battle, Mussolini “promoted fertility, especially within the working class, by increasing welfare benefits, legislating tax breaks, making available better health care, and awarding highly public medals and recognition to those women who produced more than the state’s target of five children per family. (Forcucci 5). Not surprisingly, during this time period, there were many advances on maternity legislation and improved working conditions for women (Dawes 40). Mussolini also emphasized how an Italian woman’s “maternal role,” was linked to the success of the “fascist state,” and women were “awarded medals of honor and incremental increasing cash prizes for their 5 through 20th child” (Forcucci 5, Martin 76). Men were also subjected to a bachelor tax, to encourage marriage and procreation (Martin 73). In addition, “conservatives feared that contraception would liberate women and that female sexual equality would threaten the institutions of marriage and motherhood” (Quine 26). Thus, the government, working along with the Catholic Church, instituted the 1932 Rocco Code of Italy, which “ban birth control, the interruption and termination of pregnancies” (Forcucci 6). Thus, women had very little control over their own bodies and reproductive …show more content…
It also permitted Italian women a newfound visibility, not based on the commodification of one’s body or labor. In addition, the number of Italian female athletes demonstrated how these competitors were able to overcome the Catholic Church’s opposition to women’s participation in sports, and the country’s reluctant support of female athletes (Zonis 83). However, as the games “brought thousands of women from all over the world to the city...[there] were truly a challenge to the established order,” in Rome’s patriarchal society (Zonis 78). Also, by analyzing the media coverage, one can see the “complex, contradictory, and evolving place of women in Italian society at a particular moment of major societal change and transformation” (Zonis 78). Thus, the 1960s Olympics was a pivotal time for Italian women to finally globally demonstrate their progress, and establish a newfound
From 1862-1922, Italy was in the Liberal period, which was loosely based on the “notions of liberalism, [and included] the idea of the State’s positive role in ensuring all citizens equal protection under the law, equal opportunity to exercise the privileges of citizenship and to participate fully in national life, regardless of race, religion …show more content…
In this battle, Mussolini “promoted fertility, especially within the working class, by increasing welfare benefits, legislating tax breaks, making available better health care, and awarding highly public medals and recognition to those women who produced more than the state’s target of five children per family. (Forcucci 5). Not surprisingly, during this time period, there were many advances on maternity legislation and improved working conditions for women (Dawes 40). Mussolini also emphasized how an Italian woman’s “maternal role,” was linked to the success of the “fascist state,” and women were “awarded medals of honor and incremental increasing cash prizes for their 5 through 20th child” (Forcucci 5, Martin 76). Men were also subjected to a bachelor tax, to encourage marriage and procreation (Martin 73). In addition, “conservatives feared that contraception would liberate women and that female sexual equality would threaten the institutions of marriage and motherhood” (Quine 26). Thus, the government, working along with the Catholic Church, instituted the 1932 Rocco Code of Italy, which “ban birth control, the interruption and termination of pregnancies” (Forcucci 6). Thus, women had very little control over their own bodies and reproductive …show more content…
It also permitted Italian women a newfound visibility, not based on the commodification of one’s body or labor. In addition, the number of Italian female athletes demonstrated how these competitors were able to overcome the Catholic Church’s opposition to women’s participation in sports, and the country’s reluctant support of female athletes (Zonis 83). However, as the games “brought thousands of women from all over the world to the city...[there] were truly a challenge to the established order,” in Rome’s patriarchal society (Zonis 78). Also, by analyzing the media coverage, one can see the “complex, contradictory, and evolving place of women in Italian society at a particular moment of major societal change and transformation” (Zonis 78). Thus, the 1960s Olympics was a pivotal time for Italian women to finally globally demonstrate their progress, and establish a newfound