CIVIC EDUCATION OF WOMEN AT THE DAWN OF THE SECOND POLISH REPUBLIC IN THE GALICIAN WEEKLY, TITLED Na posterunku (1917-1919)

Abstract

Introduction: The outbreak of World War I and transformation of the political situation in Europe made the prospect of Poland regaining independence increasingly realistic. This posed new challenges for Poles and compelled redefinition of such concepts as patriotism and citizenship. The debate on this subject was carried out in numerous periodicals, including women’s journals, such as Na Posterunku (1917–1919), an organ of the Women’s League of Galicia and Silesia, and later of the Polish Women’s League.

Research Aim: The aim of this article is to show how, on the eve of regaining independence, the issues of girls’ civic education (its goals and methods of implementation) and the ideal of the Polish woman-citizen were presented in a women’s weekly, titled Na Posterunku, as well as how the idea emerged of introducing civic education as a school subject and as a component of extracurricular education.

Evidence-based Facts: In recent years, Polish women’s press published on the eve of independence has been the subject of numerous studies. The journal Na Posterunku also attracted scholarly attention, yet its content and message were analyzed more in political contexts or in relation to the issue of women’s equality than pedagogy. Meanwhile, in the pages of Na Posterunku, in view of approaching independence, the question of women’s civic education – as a novelty – was raised: preparation of women to fulfill a new role, that of a conscious citizen of the reborn state. This issue has not yet been discussed in the scholarly literature and will be addressed in this article.

Summary: Civic education was a subject of press debate at the threshold of independence. It was understood that the period of partitions had shaped a specific notion of patriotism; however, with the emergence of an independent Polish state, it became necessary to give it a new meaning and link it with the concept of citizenship. The Na Posterunku weekly took part in this discourse. It promoted civic attitudes among women and the ideal of the Polish woman-patriot. It also presented the goals and methods of implementing civic education.