№ 1 - 2009
Gerbach J.V.
Gender Transformation in Modern Russian Army: Social Prerequisites

In author’s view, social prerequisites of gender transformation in the Russian army include socio-cultural, socio-economic and personal ones. They derive from: gender restructurization in traditionally “female” and ”male” professional spheres caused by the transition to market economy; new trends in gender socialization of both sexes; decreasing status of the military profession. Low salaries, unresolved problem of housing for the military, destruction of the former strong system of provileges and guarantees, lack of respect for heroism and risks of the military service in “hot spots” are among factors that dictate the rising demand for professional servicewomen in modernizing Russian modern army.