The revolutionary changes brought about by the rejection of the occupation of the former colonialists, and the American neo-colonialists had a profound effect on the sexual revolution in the Cuban society. Although difficulties were experienced in the previous stages, success was realized in the 70s and the 80s. Previous complications were experienced due to the dominance of the white males in the political leadership who were accustomed to the traditional patriarchal sexual ideology. The leadership soon began adopting the Marxist-Leninist concepts that emphasized on reforms of class relations and factors of production (Hamilton, 2012). The leadership sought to increase the involvement of every citizen in the production of goods and services while providing opportunities for those in the lower class to move up the social ladder.
One the pivotal revolution policy pursued by Castro’s regime was the transformation of the sexual roles in the economy. The revolutionary policy sought to change the relations between the sexes by pursuing a greater level of equality and freedom of individuals, breaking away from the traditional structure of relations and roles of men and women. As a result, Cuban women and men enjoy a greater level of civil rights that many other developed countries. As a developing nation, women struggled with control of their sexuality and reproduction. There were many unwanted pregnancies and irresponsibility amongst men accountable with limited legal support for women to abort unplanned pregnancies. In the year 1965, the Ministry of Public Health opened doors for women to abort their pregnancies in public and private hospitals. This move was a response to curb the increasing number of deaths and injuries developed as women sought the services of quark doctors to terminate pregnancies (Ramirez, 2013). In fact, in 1979, the country enacted a penal code that defined illegal abortion and the punishment for those involved in the practice outside the confines of the abortion regulations. As such, this meant that a woman would no longer die while aborting because they were openly allowed to seek abortion services in public health institutions regardless of the motivations. Conversely, the country introduced sex education programs in primary and secondary school in 1974 (Hamilton, 2012). There was a growing concern about the increasing sexual activities and pregnancy amongst the adolescents.
Before 1959, Cuba was largely a patriarchal family with the man as the sole provider and decision maker, while the woman played the role of a homemaker. In 1975, Thesis Number Three was adopted into the new family code that established a systemic sharing of domestic responsibilities that included child care and bills. As a result, the participation of married women in the labor force increased from 16 percent to about 36.7 percent, translating to a national increase of 124.9 percent between 1970 and 1979 (Nash & Safa, 1986). In the 1960s, men did not appreciate a working woman, but now, many tend to seek those that are able to make ends meet (Nash & Safa, 1986). As such, this reflects the changing attitudes of Cuban’s towards gender roles in the society.
Women now have freedoms that have given them an opportunity to engage themselves in social and economic activities in the country. Women were predominantly housewives and as such, took feminine jobs in the economy. Even after the widening of economic activities for women, many pursued feminine professionals in training institutions (Nash & Safa, 1986). As the number of trained women surged, their role in the economy changed. The Thirteenth Congress of 1973 abolished categorization of jobs, according to gender, which open doors for women to pursue careers in the traditionally male-dominant professions such as engineering. By 1979, 53.4 percent of professionals and technicians in Cuba were females and about 38.9 percent of the working population was women. Conversely, the number of women in the leadership roles increased significantly within a period of ten years. By 1980, 22 percent of members of the national assembly and 50 percent of leadership in the committee of the revolution were women (Nash & Safa, 1986). Although the involvement of women in politics is still low, the strides made are reflective of success made by developed countries despite being a developing country. In consideration of the economic hardships that were brought about by the US economy and the financial embargo against Cuba.
While other socialist regimes focused on abolishing the family as the primary unit of production, Cuba was encouraging marriage. The country had one of the lowest rates of marriages, and many in the rural areas lived together in casual unions (Nash & Safa, 1986). A campaign led by the government helped increase the number formal marriages in the country. Unfortunately, despite the positive results of these reforms, other major social problems emerged as a result. Like any other society that promotes greater involvement of women in the economy, the family entity was largely affected. The rate of divorces increased from 0.4 percent in 1967 to 2.3 percent in 1971, with a record number of single mothers. In the following five years, the rate of divorces stabilized, but short up again in the 90s as the younger generation became adults. Currently, 70 percent of all marriages in Cuba are expected to culminate in divorce (Havana-Guide, 2015) with a divorce rate of 56 percent, according to the United Nations, and ranks as the eighth country with the highest rate of divorce in the world. This problem can be blamed on two factors, namely 1) the new laws on marriage and family responsibilities failed to define the new roles of the husband and wife in the new family set up, and 2) the government in implementation of the new policies failed to help men adjust their traditional behaviors, attitudes, and expectations in dealing with a freer and independent woman in the family.
The 1961 outlawing of prostitution in Cuba was perhaps the earliest revolutionary policy that aimed at addressing sexuality in the country’s society. With the help of the Federation of the Cuban Women headed by Vilman Espin, programs to rehabilitate prostitutes were initiated. This program is one of the successes of the revolutionary policy having facilitated eradication of prostitution by the beginning of the 1960s. As such, this showed a commitment by the government to promote gender equality in the country, a policy that was hailed by many international liberals and progressive minds. Unfortunately, the problem came back at the beginning of the 1990s, when the country was facing excruciating economic hardships. Conversely, it was at this time that the government opened doors to tourism that brought a flood of foreign sex tourists and nightlife swingers. This aspect was promoted by the law that permits the provision of casual sex in exchange for gifts, marrying off a 14-year-old by the permission of the mother, and legal consent for sex at the age of sixteen years old (Havana-Guide, 2015). As a result, tourists flock in the country just to have sexual relations with these young teenage girls of Cuba. Although the state’s regulations prohibit payment for sexual services, there is no strict implementation of the law.
Unfortunately, the prostitution eradication program led to the rise of another social problem in the country. Male prostitutes were not incorporated in the rehabilitation process because, at the time, they were not accepted as significant players in society (Hodge, 2009). Men began selling sex in open to the increasing tourist customer base, giving rise to another face of tolerance towards homosexuality. In some cases, straight men engage in commercial sex with the tourist to make money due to poverty. Initially, there was institutional hatred towards homosexual who were considered as social outcasts. The attitude has gradually changed with the political class slowly accepting gays as important members of the society. Fidel Castro publicly denounced prejudice against gays was deeply seated in the country’s population.
Despite the abolition of racial discrimination in Cuba (1961), prejudice attitudes still play a role in the sexuality issues in Cuba. For example, the largest percentage of male and female prostitutes is Afro-Cubans and the Mullatos (Hodge, 2009). In some cases, these people are denied entry to social places such as beaches and hotels because they are thought prostitutes by the default of their color. This, therefore, has undermined the enjoyment of the freedoms for the colored women in their active involvement in the economy.
As a conclusion, the Cuban revolution offered women an opportunity to advance their feminist agenda that focused on social inclusion and fight for equality. Economic and social policies were developed to empower women, which significantly changed their social and economic status since they were able to engage in numerous economic opportunities. The perceptions about women changed, but it seemed men were not prepared for the new empowered woman, which led to increased divorce cases that have subsisted to date. The country is among the top countries with the highest rate of divorce rates across the globe. The period of revolution was also characterized by the abolition of prostitution, although it has been noted that the implementation has not been effective. Some of the policies introduced such as marrying of young underage girls and consent to sex were retrogressive since they would deny such young girls an opportunity to pursue their careers.
References
Hamilton, C. (2012). Sexual Revolutions in Cuba: Passions, Politics, and Memory. University of North Carolina.
Havana-Guide. (2015). Divorce Cuba. Retrieved from Havana-Guide.com: http://www.havana-guide.com/divorce-in-cuba.html
Hodge, G. D. (2009). Colonizing the Cuban Body. In A. Chomsky, P. M. Smorkaloff, & B. Carr, The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics (pp. 630-634). Durham: Duke University Press.
Nash, J., & Safa, H. (1986). Women and Change in Latin America. Massachusetts: Bergin & Garvey Publishers, Inc.
Ramirez, S. A.-A. (2013, June 28). Cuba/Abortion: “I wish you had the same right”. Retrieved from Havana Times: http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=95481
