Minority v subsytéme kultúry

In the past, Upper Silesia was considered as a coalfield and a heavy industrial basin with the majority of work being mining.Thus, most of the men worked in the mining industry while their wives took care of the home and family. Forming an attitudetowards work took place from early childhood, when boys watched their fathers as they went to and returned from work. Boysappreciated the efforts of their fathers and admired the skills they saw at work. Children rarely chose different professional careersfrom their fathers, mainly because job opportunities were very limited. Secondly – as already mentioned – many choiceswere made because of the tradition and customs passed down from generation to generation. Therefore the situation wherebythe son would choose a different career from his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was very rare. "Working in the senseof earning money occurs late in the men’s lives and it is related with gaining maturity. However, in a psychological, emotional,cognitive and decision – making sense, it begins very early in life. Human involvement in one’s future career occurs throughoutchildhood. (...). From the earliest years, the child learns and develops self-image and values of the world in which career andits attitudes and internalised roles associated with what one thinks about the relationship between "I and the world" is mostimportant." (A. Bańka, 1995, p. 122-123).The traditional division of roles and male employment in occupations mainly meant that there was no need to obtaina higher level of education. It was more important to get necessary permission to work in a particular profession, rather thanachieving a higher education. Therefore men chose trade schools, which allowed them to achieve the education necessary towork and gain experience through practice. Of course those who aspired to have a higher education had this opportunity, but itwas the result of individual choice rather than a necessity dictated by the situation within the labour market. Men and womenwho chose to continue their education had to move out of the family home in most cases because schools were often far awayfrom where they lived. Education was a conscious choice; not a necessity. Family and neighbours did not pressure those whodid not want to get higher education. However, well educated people tended to have higher positions; they often becamemanagers.Religion...Religion is another very important value that characterised (and still is characterising) Silesians and their culture. Silesianshave always been very religious and religion was an irreplaceable part of their culture. "Religion was an integral part of theSilesian identity at various levels of cultural and national identity. It was the next major factor after language in Silesian selfdefinitionand in the process of creating awareness of ethnic autonomy and national consciousness. On the other hand there wasalso an element of regional ties, connecting the Catholic community, irrespective of nationality." (M. Błaszczak-Wacławik, 1990,p. 17). The role of the Roman Catholic Church was very important and had a significant influence on the life of families. "(...)belief and traditional religiousness is a fundamental value for the Silesian community. These beliefs were a result of the dangerouswork in the mines, so the miners prayed to St. Barbara to protect them from the danger. Silesian religiosity was stronglyconnected with its customs. They determined the rhythm of years, months and weeks." (U. Swadźba, 2008b, p. 7). Religiosityof Silesian families was not only turning themselves over to patrons, but also cultivating Catholic traditions and following theprinciples proclaimed by the Church and its recommendations. "The deep roots of religion in the life of the community werestrengthened by their connection with the Church. The basis of the relationship between religion and the Church was a traditionand a way of social, cultural and national activity. Priests held a very strong position and influence, even in affairs of the communitythat were not religion-related, because of their organizational and cultural functions." (M. Błaszczak-Wacławik, 1990, p.17). Religion played a significant role in the life of the Silesians. It influenced everyday life and decisions that they made. Religionencouraged marriage and family life. It was also a factor which helped integrate and unite the Church and families. "(...) Religionin Upper Silesia in a cultural sense can be considered as a folk religion and characteristic of the working class. It is a model of"church folk"."(W. Świątkiewicz, 1997, p. 197). Religion was very important for the development of culture and a seperateSilesian identity. It was not only an integrating element between members of the Church, but also helped determine moral principlesin the lifestyles of the religious. The practice of religion was also associated with taking part in various celebrations, which140