6. The role of gender

Gender makes less difference for learning of activism than we expected. There may be an effect in relation to governance, but the sample does not allow to verify this. Still, writing this does not mean that our activists would not have been fair representatives of their genders. What they have done has been done in characteristically gendered ways. When Marjaana cares for her parents and later accepts more general responsibility in this area, this can be seen as a typical example of female care-centered ethics. The same is true of Laura, who has become involved with CP association work because of having to take care of of her own CP child and understanding by that the more general needs of the disabled.

None of the persons studied is predominantly a gender activist, which of course is a selection effect. The problems of a patriarchal society can be seen in their lives: men getting to higher positions (Esko a rector of university, Hannu a member of parliament) and being paid in the average remarkably higher wages than women. The activists also repeat the common pattern of women taking largely responsibility of the household chores, children´s education and elderly parents, often in addition to paid jobs. In this they reflect the prevailing way of life, which has been changing, but rather slowly. Gender activism was in the increase in 70ies and 80ies and the country got appropriate equality legislation. The slowness of results does not seem to be an effect of men´s unwillingness of admitting women to responsible positions (attested by the country having a female president, a female First Speaker of the parliament, a female head of the most important opposition party and several female ministers), but rather women´s own choice. Looking at the activists and taking into account women´s domestic work as well as time and activities with children, men´s economic and political success is balanced by women´s family-related achievements, something that the society unfortunately does not recognize with appropriate wages or pensions.

Women activists tend to be more conscious of gender issues than men. The male Old Boy -networks presumably exist, but an active Men´s movement is not recognizable in Finland. It is relatively common for young fathers-to-be to participate with their wives in maternity courses and to be present during delivery. Children and youth are important for men, too, but more as friends, companions or in a generic way than as a total responsibility for care and socialization. An example of this is Hannu, generally an advocate for children and adolescents in Finnish politics.

I have a dream or vision to combine my love for sport and work for youth still in my later life. I would like to start a junior soccer team and act as a coach for it. It would be nice to have my own children along in such activity ... There are never too many situations, where education and youngsters own activities were combined in a sensible way, and sport is excellent for that purpose. I have myself got a lot from sport during the years, it´s a sensible way of life. (Hannu)

It is characteristic of this male quote that family responsibility is included into a larger issue and in a way depersonalized.

Looking at learning of identities gender makes less difference for learning of activism than might have been expected. Despite the differences in careers, the learning histories of women and men are surprisingly similar. There may be an effect in relation to governance (considering the higher achievements of men), but the sample does not allow to verify this.