Marriage in the period of normalisation: Stories of Women who got married between 1970 and 1989

The thesis, 'Marriage in the period of normalisation: Stories of Women who got married between 1970 and 1989', focuses on the wedding rate in Czechoslovakia during normalisation period, 20 years after Soviet occupation. The analysis is done in the context of governmental family and population politics and endeavours of normalisation regime to support marriage and natality rate. The present study describes measures which the government introduced in the 70's and their justification. The focus falls also on the influence of demographic behaviour and how this behaviour was unique and exceptional during normalisation period. The whole study is based on the fact that personal testimony of narrators can contribute to an understanding of the human aspect of our history. The qualitative research method used was oral-historical interviews recording the experience of 6 women. The study analyses their decision making factors to enter the institution of marriage, what was young families' economic situation and how they perceived and exploited state support system for young families. This thesis helps understanding women in this specific period of normalisation as well as the period itself, given the fact that in the 70's and 80's the betrothed couples were the youngest and marriage rate was the highest in the..