Contemporary France

1-What are the new forms of social division in Modern France? What created the social division and fragmentation?

The new forms of social division in France today have more to do with age and place than class and breeding.

One factor that contributed to this age division is the effect of unemployment on young workers. In 1985, the unemployment rate of men between the ages of 15 & 24 was over 30% and 20% for young women. This is an incredible statistic when you put it into context. Young people represent about 15% of the total population. So there was a disproportionate share of the unemployment burden on France’s youth. Ironically, this high rate was in spite of France having the second highest ratio (35.3%), throughout the European Union, of 21 year olds in higher education. The jobs were in the middle-aged population, creating a mistrust of older citizens, and the State system that failed them. Along with this perception was the fact that younger people delayed moving out on their own due to a lack of upward mobility and money. This created the need to live with parents and grandparents further creating generational tension. 

Another reason for this fragmentation of the social fabric of France is the difference in the attitude towards urban dwellers and non-urban. Paris and other large cities had more opportunities for cultural endeavors, even though cities were seen in terms of high employment, crime and violence. Finally, with large numbers of low skilled, low education immigrants competing for jobs with France’s young people, this further created tension between different races. This had the effect of exacerbating any feelings of xenophobia.

2. How did French cultural and economic specificities survive globalization? 

France’s reaction to globalization resulted in a couple of things to ensure a French national identity, specifically France wanted to stem the tide of what she perceived as a form of “cultural imperialism”. To French purists it must be disheartening to see McDonald's and Star Bucks on the Champs-Elysee.

One way France tried to instill French culture throughout the country was to promote French festivals and art performances in the suburbs and rural areas to remind people of the rich historical and cultural heritage of France. Music festivals also were quite common in the 1980’s as part of Jack Lang’s desire for “cultural cathedrals” bringing culture to the people. Another uniquely French obsession is the Tour de France, the preeminent bike race held annually in France. Interestingly, two of the major sponsors are the American icon, Coca-Cola, and an Italian car manufacturer, and not strictly a French connection. What irony! This one event is known throughout the world and is very, very French.

Another way of retarding global influences is the use of language. France insists the use of French as the dominant spoken language even though there is acceptance for several other languages, like from the Breton, Occitan, Basque, and Catalan provinces.

2. What do you know about José Bové? What do you think about his actions? 

José Bové was the Leader of French farmers and a member of the “alter-globalization movement”. He was a social activist and has a long history within France's social justice movements including being anti-military, pro-agricultural, as well as promoting organic farming and protesting nuclear weapons.

His most famous event, which gave him worldwide fame, occurred in 1999 with the willful destruction of a Mc Donald’s in Milan. (http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ José_ Bové#controversies). This was in protest to U.S policy of imposing restrictions on the importation of Roquefort cheese, which hurt local French farmers and peasants. Also he did it to raise awareness to

Mc Donald’s use of hormone-treated beef. 

His mantra:

Alter Globalization

He is not against globalization, he'sjust promoting alternative kinds of globalization that is worker sensitive, planetary sensitive, ecologically and environmentally friendly.

I support his actions except for the destruction of private property. 

3. How is the condition of women in France?

Despite gains in all areas of French society since women won the right to vote in 1945, there are still disparities in politics, education, and business. Women’s desire to work outside the home was made easier by state supported childcare. This includes nursery schools, after-school programs, and holiday clubs.

Also, women working full time, according to a poll by (Le Point, 4 July of 1998), moms spent on average 3 hours per day on child related activities, as opposed to one hour per day by Dads. In education, even though women had the same education level as men, only 69% landed executive type jobs while men enjoyed an 83% success rate. In politics, the percentage is even more striking. For example in 1997, only 10.9% of women were involved in political life.

Only Greece had a lower percentage of all the countries (27) in the European common market. At the end of the millennium Politics is still very much a male club.

4. What is the difference between French Feminism and Anglo-Saxon Feminism? 

The main difference between feminists, on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, has to do with the focus of the movement. For example, Anglo-American feminist are viewed by some as being more concerned with social and economic parity. Barriers to political access, and economic opportunity were their focus. In France, feminists were motivated by more theoretical and abstract ideas. For example, French language is masculine or feminine for every noun. They note a distinction between the gender of the word and the sex of the person it refers to. This sometimes causes confusion as in “Madame le minister”.

Some critics of Anglo-American feminist view their dogma as one of emasculating men and taking power from them, while French feminist, as a whole, love men for who and what they are, they just want to “tame” them as they reach equality.

5. What is “La Parité”?

La Parité is the term used to describe “equal representation between men and women in parliament”

6. How are sexual differences perceived in France? What are the PACS?

France has always had a reputation, in the U.S. the last 50 years or so, as not having any sexual hang-ups compared to Victorian attitudes of the U.K and America. However, as recently as 1960 French law branded “homosexuality” as a social scourge (fleau-social). In fact, General de Gaulle, in 1945 endorsed a law introduced earlier in 1945 by the Vichy regime, criminalizing homosexual acts where one partner was under the age of 21.
 There was no similar restriction pertaining to heterosexual couples.

Sadly, the Vichy supporters in WWII aided the Germans, by rounding up and deporting homosexuals to the death camps along with Jews, gypsies, and communists. However, despite this period between 1942 and 1982, for the most part homosexuals endured less discrimination in government than gays in Britain, even though the general population still resisted approval especially with regard to child rearing.

Activist organizations like Arcadia and Act-Up have worked to educate and promote gay civil rights. In literature, art, and film gay themes have steadily become common. From the early 1970’s some writers earned prestige, and their works were validated by French literary society, some writers include Dominique Fernandez, Yves Navarre, Héléne de mon Ferrand, and Monique Witting to name a few. 

French cinema also mirrored society as a whole by producing films like “Les Nuits Fauves” and “Gazon maudit”. There are many more films and filmmakers too numerous to mention in the abbreviated answer.

What are the PACS?

The PACS is an acronym for “pacte civil de soliarité” in other words equal rights to cohabiting couples, including same sex couples.

With the exception of the AIDS crisis in France, no other single issue was more important than the legal recognition of same sex couples in the gay/lesbian community.

Finally, in 1999 a bill allowing the PACS was approved by the French National Assembly.

7. What are the different regional cultures in France?

The different regional cultures in France include the Bretons, the Basques, the Occitans, and the Catalans.

8. What are the different religions in France and what is the attitude of the French State toward them?
 

Perhaps, one of the most controversial issues in France today is religious tolerance. As a per-dominantly Catholic country with, as of 1995, according to a poll by (Etat de la France, 202-5), 80% of French citizens consider themselves Catholic. 

However, Islam is now becoming a second largest religion in France, as well as Judaism and Buddhism having representation as well. Buddhism’s appeal could be that it promotes peace and tranquility and challenges people to change from within.

France has had to come to terms with the mantra of the French Revolution’s words of- liberty, equality and fraternity. In the famous case of the “headscarf” which is worn by Muslim women, the Counsil d’Etat, ruled, that the girls in question could wear the headscarf to honor their religious belief’s, without violating the rules of Laicite (separation of church and state). The court affirmed that, Catholics wearing crosses or Jews wearing yarmulkas enjoyed the same religious freedom that Muslims were seeking.

Despite its missteps, inequalities, and biases towards the treatment of different religions, the French constitution guarantees basic rights to all religions in spite of the dominant religious tradition.