Sneak Peek: Women at Home, Benefits of Russian Misery, & Gender Equality in the Arab World

We are releasing three more Spectrum Street Epistemology conversations from Eastern Europe this week. Here is a preview for our subscribers:  

Tuesday

In Pécs, Hungary, six people discussed the claim, “Women should stay home and raise the children.” One man disagrees with claim on economic grounds, saying women should work because “we need more manpower in factories and other jobs.” Another man suggests that the maternal instinct and production of breastmilk make women superior caregivers. The women in the group have different perspectives, causing some line shifting.

Wednesday

In this conversation in Transylvania, five Romanians consider the claim, “I would rather be ruled by America than Russia.” Four participants express some level of agreement, though they do not all admire the United States. One woman disagrees, harshly criticizing “the American dream.” She admits that Russians often have a miserable life, but admires their bravery. When she suggests that America is “like a big factory,” another participant recalls Soviet control in Romania. He states that people in the U.S. have more creative opportunities, while Russians are forced into low-wage jobs because “that’s the way it goes in communism.”

When Peter asks the final question of the discussion, one participant reveals a crack in her reasoning.

Thursday

A Moroccan woman joined Peter in Pécs, Hungary to discuss the claim, “The Arab world should have gender equality.” The woman, who is an electrical engineer, strongly agreed with the claim, citing the unfair workload women bear across Arab cultures. She makes a clear distinction between culture and religion in Arab countries, saying that Islam does not promote the subjugation of women. “Our prophets used to help their wives,” she says, while men created gender inequality for their own benefit.