Lesson Topic: Women's rights during Francisco Franco's dictatorship
Activity: Students will analyze primary source documents from the Sección Feminina, the women's branch of the Falange Española to give them insight into the life of women in Spain during Franco's dictatorship. Prior to this lesson students will have learned about the Spanish Civil War, Franco's rise to power, and some of the fundamental ideals of Franco's leadership. Students will use the Women in Franco's Spain Worksheet to guide their exploration of the following three primary sources. |
1. Primary Source 1: Guide to being a Good Wife (Servicio Social de la Sección Femenina de la Falange Española, 1953)
2. Primary Source 2: Extractos de “Sección Femenina” de la Falange Española y de las JONS. Editado en 1958. [Translation mine]
Ten preparada una comida deliciosa para cuando tu marido regrese del trabajo. Especialmente, su plato favorito. Ofrécete a quitarle los zapatos. Habla en tono bajo, relajado, placentero. [Have a delicious meal prepared when your husband returns home from work. Especially, his favorite dish. Offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, relax and pleasant tone.]
Prepárate: retoca tu maquillaje, coloca una cinta en tu cabello, hazte un poco más interesante para él. Su duro día de trabajo quizá necesite de un poco de ánimo y uno de tus deberes es proporcionárselo. [Prepare yourself: retouch your makeup, place a ribbon in your hair, make yourself a little more interesting for him. His difficult day of work might need a little energy, and one of your duties is to provide this to him.]
Durante los días más fríos deberías preparar y encender un fuego en la chimenea para que él se relaje frente a él. Después de todo, preocuparte por su comodidad te proporcionará una satisfacción personal inmensa. [During colder days you should prepare and light a fire in the fireplace so that he can relax in front of it. Afterall, worrying about his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.]
Minimiza cualquier ruido. En el momento de su llegada, elimina zumbidos de lavadora o aspirador. Salúdale con una cálida sonrisa y demuéstrale tu deseo de complacerle. Escúchale, déjale hablar primero. Recuerda que sus temas de conversación son más importantes que los tuyos. Nunca te quejes si llega tarde o si sale a cenar o a otros lugares de diversión sin ti. Intenta, en cambio, comprender su mundo de tensión y estrés, sus necesidades reales. [Minimize any noise. In the moment of his arrival, illiminate the humming of the washing machine or vacuum. Greet him with a warm smile and show him your desire to please him. Listen to him, let him talk first. Remember that your conversation topics are more important than yours. Never complain if he arrives late or if he goes out to dinner or to other leisure places without you. Try, instead, to understand his world of tension and stress, his real needs.]
Ten preparada una comida deliciosa para cuando tu marido regrese del trabajo. Especialmente, su plato favorito. Ofrécete a quitarle los zapatos. Habla en tono bajo, relajado, placentero. [Have a delicious meal prepared when your husband returns home from work. Especially, his favorite dish. Offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, relax and pleasant tone.]
Prepárate: retoca tu maquillaje, coloca una cinta en tu cabello, hazte un poco más interesante para él. Su duro día de trabajo quizá necesite de un poco de ánimo y uno de tus deberes es proporcionárselo. [Prepare yourself: retouch your makeup, place a ribbon in your hair, make yourself a little more interesting for him. His difficult day of work might need a little energy, and one of your duties is to provide this to him.]
Durante los días más fríos deberías preparar y encender un fuego en la chimenea para que él se relaje frente a él. Después de todo, preocuparte por su comodidad te proporcionará una satisfacción personal inmensa. [During colder days you should prepare and light a fire in the fireplace so that he can relax in front of it. Afterall, worrying about his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.]
Minimiza cualquier ruido. En el momento de su llegada, elimina zumbidos de lavadora o aspirador. Salúdale con una cálida sonrisa y demuéstrale tu deseo de complacerle. Escúchale, déjale hablar primero. Recuerda que sus temas de conversación son más importantes que los tuyos. Nunca te quejes si llega tarde o si sale a cenar o a otros lugares de diversión sin ti. Intenta, en cambio, comprender su mundo de tensión y estrés, sus necesidades reales. [Minimize any noise. In the moment of his arrival, illiminate the humming of the washing machine or vacuum. Greet him with a warm smile and show him your desire to please him. Listen to him, let him talk first. Remember that your conversation topics are more important than yours. Never complain if he arrives late or if he goes out to dinner or to other leisure places without you. Try, instead, to understand his world of tension and stress, his real needs.]
3. Primary Source 3: Intimate Marital Relations
(from New Insights into Gendered Discursive Practices by Antonia Sánchez Macarro and Ana Belén Cabrejas Peñuelas, eds. Universitat de València. Originally from Economía doméstica para bachillerato y magisterio, published in 1958 by the Sección Feminina de la Falange Española y de las JONS.)