Lou Andreas-Salomé about women

Abstract

The article deals with gender issues by analyzing the views of the Russian researcher with German roots Lou Andreas-Salomé. It is noted that despite her lack of explicit participation in women’s protest movements, she actively supported the idea of gender equality. That is why Lou Andreas-Salomé so often in his work touched on the role of women in society and criticized the erroneous judgments about its insignificance based on the traditional views that the woman should only be an obedient wife, keeper of the family home and pious mother. Lou Andreas-Salomé argued that women need the possibility of finding their own way in life and the freedom to choose it. She proclaimed the innovative ideas of women’s emancipation, the right of women to control their own destiny. In the works of Lou Andreas-Salomé, the woman appears as a free and firm in her judgments personality, finding her own vocation in life. It is noted that the Russian writer gives a significant place in her works to sexuality as an important element of human life. In her opinion female sexuality is harmonious and it is expressed through sensitivity and feminine emotionality, while male sexuality is impulsive and aimed mainly at satisfying his own needs. Rejecting the view of the passive role of women in society, Lou Andréas-Salomé emphasized that women and men contribute equally to procreation. Lou Andréas-Salomé was far ahead of her time and showed through her work the importance of self-actualization and freedom for women.