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Soviet Union [USSR] Differences in Life-Styles
Rural dwellers faced culture shock when moving from the
countryside to the city. Until they were assimilated into their new
way of life, they were marked by their dress, speech, and behavior.
The rural existence they left behind was slower paced and socially
and economically more homogeneous than life in the cities. They no
longer received essential services, such as housing, medical care,
job training, and entertainment, from their village communities but
rather from their urban employers. Their new urban neighbors not
only saved less of their wages each month but also spent an average
of three times as much on leisure and culture.
The difference between urban and rural society was also
reflected in housing conditions. Rural inhabitants traditionally
lived in detached houses and had access to private garden plots.
These rural gardens provided produce either for home consumption or
for sale. City dwellers, in contrast, did not usually have this
extra source of income. And although rural housing sometimes lacked
indoor plumbing and other features of urban housing, it was
roomier.
One major legal difference between urban and rural dwellers
disappeared in 1976, when collective farmers were issued
internal passports (see Glossary) required for travel outside of their
particular district. Before 1976 collective farmers were obliged to
obtain the permission of employers before such travel was allowed.
Data as of May 1989
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