Minority v subsytéme kultúry

educational methods. It was very common for a few generations to live together in one homestead, where every family memberhad a position, role and tasks to undertake. Almost every stage of life was determined by tradition, which was respected andcherished by the vast majority of the community. "For many generations in Polish society, the performance model of maritalroles was strictly defined and dominated by tradition. The matrimony was ruled by common law, whose main goal was longevityof the family. The institutional and legal character of the family guaranteed family members safety, stability, handing overmoral and material goods." (L. Bakiera, 2009, p. 26).The choice of partner in the traditional Silesian population was often endogamous in character. Proximity and culturalunity was conducive to getting married. It was affected by a strong belief that a woman should marry a man whose origins andfamily roots were known. This was because knowledge of life, (and its evaluation) of its ancestors influenced the evaluation ofthe "suitability" for the role of husband and father. Endogamy was also a consolidating factor as it influenced the strength of thenature of the social environment, in this case, Silesian environment. “The close family ties and neighbourhood groups formedfamilies closely connected to their society. They were the basis for the performance of a community, which had strong, informalsocial control in the areas of customs and morals. Individual role models of social behaviour were determined by the socialenvironment. (M. Błaszczak-Wacławik,1990, p. 19). This environment was very easy to understand. The neighbourhood anda good relationship with the environment was treated very seriously, at the same time appreciating and valuing their importancein everyday life. Neighbours were very close, and working together for the common good was something quite natural. Mostfamilies’ situation was strengthened by the uniformity seen, because all of them were based on the same principles and tradition."Participation in community exists when a man chooses what others choose, or even choose something just because otherschoose it - while doing it for their own wellness and achieving the aim of their efforts." (W. Kubik, 1992, p. 12). The traditionalshape of the family was cultivated naturally, as a part of adult life for every Silesian man and woman. Women agreed to play therole of wife and mother, while for men it was natural to be the head of the family, providing the necessary economic resources.Most women in a traditional Silesian family did not work, because the husband, as the patriarch of the family, took onthe obligation of providing the means necessary for its existence. This division of roles in family favoured having large families,and that is why the traditional Silesian family was usually large. Household chores were done by women and seen as perfectlynatural and the husbands’ earnings assured sufficient means to cover the costs of raising children and maintaining a home. Thistraditional division of roles in the family meant that generally, women tended not to seek a career. "Economic functions of thefamily that assured its survival were fulfilled by men. Society’s negative attitude towards working married women – (...) – ensureda low rate of working women." (M. Błaszczak-Wacławik, 1990, p. 18). The role of women as a keeper of hearth and homein Silesia was and still is very important (although it is now declining). It gave family cohesion, a sense of solidarity and providedsolace, where the men returned after a hard day’s work. Women on the other hand enriched the family budget through variousmanufacturing jobs, for example sewing clothes and bed linen etc.In a traditional Silesian family the man was the family provider. He was responsible for providing the material basics for hisfamily. This division of roles in the family was a natural consequence of a lifestyle that was cultivated over many generations.The male earned money while the female took care of the home. "Silesian family was one of elements that helped builda strong work ethic. Boys were prepared to become workers and the girls for housework. You can see a strict division of roles, theroles of men, associated with earning and female roles- work at home and with the children. In the traditional division of roles,a woman, especially a married woman, was not meant to be employed. Only girls before marriage and widows could work.Also women whose families owned land, worked in the yard and on the farm. Boys were prepared for being physical labourers.This was due to the lack of other prospects in life and the opportunity to acquire a profession that would afford their livelihood."(U. Swadźba, 2008a, p. 23). Becoming a worker in Upper Silesia was determined by an economy based on heavy industry andmining. Most men took over jobs that were done by their ancestors. It was also common that all men from one family wereemployed at the same workplace. Work was inherited from fathers who passed on the tricks of the trade to their sons and thento the following generations.139