https://plus.google.com/118424303220107713936 Balkans Archives - ZA VAS

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Gender Roles – Still a Big Part of the Balkan Mentality

Even though gender roles have been changing in Western society in recent decades, they remain heavily in play in the Balkans. Generally, gender roles are deemed as roles that society assigns to men and women based on their gender therefore creating an influence on relationships between men and women. For example, it used to be expected that men would support the women, while they stay at home to raise a family, cook and clean. Today, traditional roles are virtually non-existent in Western society, predominantly due to more sharing of family and household responsibilities, and both males and females working in less traditional careers such as females becoming firefighters and males becoming nurses.

One thing that continues to be much the same in the Balkans is the “traditional” role of women – something that was very big during the 20th century.  Women being the typical housewife: cleaning, cooking and bearing children.

We came across a survey conducted among 1500 men and 505 women showing that 36 per cent of Croatian men still believe that the most important role of women is housekeeping and cooking for her family, and one fifth of male respondents believe that it is the men who should have a final say in decision making at home, while one third of those polled believe that gender equality “has gone too far.”

The average respondents aged between 18 and 68 years.

Without trying to sound like we’re painting everyone with the same paint brush, but it would be fair to assume that this mentality not only exists in Croatia, but rather it’s something likely welcomed in other Balkan regions. There is still a prevailing opinion that promoting gender equality is a topic for women only, concerning them alone and that it has no social significance. It’s likely that a high percentage of men still embrace patriarchal attitudes, which hinder efforts to reach gender equality. However, some of the recent studies show that every one in two men generally support gender equality.

Other studies, predominantly in Western society, have shown that men advocating gender equality are less prone to violence and they participate more in household chores and take more care of children. They are also less inclined to hold homophobic attitudes.

The findings of the study were organized by the Status:M youth association and the Education and Teacher Training Agency, with the support of Care International, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and the City of Zagreb.

Are You Ashamed to Say You’re Bosnian?

Are you ashamed to say you’re Bosnian? What do you think the future holds for Bosnia and Herzegovina? I am not just asking financially, I’m asking as a whole country in all avenues. We have come along way since the war and have slowly become a recognized small nation around the world that has still along way to go. As a country with a lot of potential the number one issue we have moving forward is how people in the region identify themselves as.

Bosnia is a mixed religious country that is a Federal Democratic State. Now what I do not understand is why some people that live in Bosnia and Herzegovina can’t identify themselves as Bosniaks? If you were born in Banja Luka, are you considered a Serb or a Bosnian? If you were born in Sarajevo, are you Bosnian? If you were born in Mostar, what are you considered? One thing that boggles my mind is those born in Sarajevo who call them selves Serbian. I never knew that Sarajevo belonged to Serbia.

Or those born in Herzegovina that say that they are Croatian. What is wrong with saying that you’re Bosnian? Is it  wrong of a nation and people to be considered one and be called one. Why do people think that admitting that you are born in Bosnia and Herzegovina makes you an automatic Muslim? I find it very sad that humanity thinks so lowly like this with this state of mind. If I was born in Croatia and lived in Croatia – I’d be a Croatian. I bet nothing would be wrong with that. Or does religion dictate everything in the Balkans?

Its pathetic knowing that if no war occurred and people stayed united under Yugoslavia – the region would have likely become a top notch performing region in Europe, if not in the world. No one would have stood in the way. Even though outside influences and powers did not like the old Yugoslavia and could not wait to exploit it. With the use of national dictators and the backing of certain powerful nations in the world had the green light was given to feed of the hatred of past and cause one of the most inhumane wars since World War 2.

I think people need to change their way of thinking and need to start looking at the bigger picture. If you’re ashamed to say you’re from Bosnia and Herzegovina and are born there – consider leaving to the country for the one you call home. In order to move as a nation, respecting all faiths and people who believe these faiths is a necessary first step. Bosniaks should not be held back by the hatred of the small minded individuals who just want the country to fail.

However, this is easier said then done! The above video is a great example of a debate in which a questions was posed, “Can Bosnians can overcome historic hostilities, a dysfunctional government and international indifference to create a stable country.” I found the conversations very interesting and feel those in the region have seen the world through different eyes. Check out the video and tell us what you think!

Burek – Largely Welcomed in Chicago

One thing that all Balkan nations share equally is their passion for burek – a stuffed fillo pastry consisting of cheese or spinach or the very famous ground beef sauteed in onions and spices. It’s one dish that all Balkan nations are know for, a street food that’s taking the North American nation by storm.

In Canada, Eastern Europeans flock the local Eastern Europeans store for fresh and take home frozen burek that can be made at home in less than 20 minutes. Despite Burek’s popularity in the Eastern European stores, and within the community, it’s something that’s not yet available as street meat in Canada – at least to our knowledge.

So, if you’re reading this, pitch your burek street-meat idea to your local city. It certainly hasn’t been done yet!

City Fresh Market, a local Balkan food store in a Chicago suburb can’t seem keep up with the demand of burek. Only a handful of places make burek in Chicago, but very few make burek from scratch. But that’s what makes City Fresh different from the rest as they start with flour, salt, and water to create their own unique dough. Like the dough, everything else is done by hand as well, including the kneading and portioning.

In order to meet the demand, hundreds of different types of burek are made each day, and the kicker to this mass production is that it’s all done by one person – Bojan Alesic – a busy burek maker who puts it all together in the back of City Fresh.

The bakery accepts special orders upon request (and there are many) but typically, they always have the cheese and meat burek on hand in the bakery. City Fresh also makes their own tart yogurt for drinking – which can be bought in cases – a combination with burek that is cherished throughout the Balkans.
Check out City Fresh online – cityfreshmarket.com or follow them of Facebook @ City Fresh Market