Today, hardly anyone remembers what the prices and wages looked like in the People's Republic of Poland. Interestingly, the salary in the Polish People's Republic in the times of Gierek was similar to the current one. However, the prices at that time were completely different. Considering that the salary in the People's Republic of Poland was similar to what it is now, and food prices were about three times higher, you can see how poor life was then. We present what the salaries of the People's Republic of Poland looked like in the times of individual party secretaries and we show what could be bought back then. As in communes, people were encouraged to have children. It turns out that the people's government increased the income tax for singles and childless people. It was called a "bull" tax. Did the bachelor tax in the People's Republic of Poland significantly affect fertility? This is not fully known. Certainly, a lot of children were born during the People's Republic of Poland, as there was a demographic boom at that time. Find out how the bull tax was shaped in Poland in the times of the People's Republic of Poland, what was its rate, and who paid it. Raising children in the times of the Polish People's Republic differed significantly from what it is now. Of great importance was the lack of television, computers, and greater security outside the home. The children were more independent and free. They also had more free time as their parents could not afford extracurricular activities. Find out how younger and older children were brought up in the People's Republic of Poland.
In the People's Republic of Poland, the main employer was the people's government, which nationalized most of the enterprises. Therefore, it was easy for the state to control wages and prices. Wages in the People's Republic of Poland were characterized by much less differentiation than is the case today. The authorities tried to avoid too large a discrepancy between wages. The salary did not depend on the education, performance, efficiency of the employee, or the company's profits. As a rule, white-collar workers earned less than skilled workers. Average people realized this. However, in the families of the so-called "Intelligentsia", children were not discouraged from learning and training. Perhaps because there were still traditions that linked a certain prestige with education. People in managerial positions could count on higher wages, and these were obtained on the party line. The low wages were the result of hidden unemployment. In the People's Republic of Poland, everyone had to get a job. In the post-war years, this was associated with a work order that all young people received after school. In later times, it was easy to get a job. Far more people were employed than was needed to avoid unemployment. Therefore, the employees went to work every day and had nothing to do. According to ZUS statistics, the average salary in the People's Republic of Poland was as follows:
- in the 1950s - from PLN 551 to PLN 1,453 per month,
- in the 1960s - from PLN 1,560 to PLN 2,174 per month,
- in the 1970s - from PLN 2,358 to PLN 5,327 per month,
- in the 1980s - from PLN 6,040 to PLN 206,758 per month.
Wages were raised regularly to prove the economic success of socialism. In the 1980s, however, there was soaring inflation that caused prices and wages to rise enormously. Władysław Gomułka, elected First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party in the wake of changes following Stalin's death, was greeted with enthusiasm. Personnel changes took place, many Soviet advisers were dismissed, pressure on the Church was eased, and the pressure on collectivization of agriculture was ended. Socialism became firmer and stronger, so it was possible to end terror and reduce control over private life and culture. During Gomułka's times, food prices were low. People who still remember those times remember that half a liter of vodka cost PLN 17.50, and a kg of ham - PLN 36. Gomułka's power collapsed after an increase in food prices was announced. Sample prices in the '60s:
- men's shirt PLN 220,
- trench coat 600 PLN,
- washing machine 1900 - 2200 PLN,
- bread - PLN 6 - 8,
- sugar - 12.50 PLN.
Edward Gierek, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party, is well remembered as a politician of change for the better. Compared to the economic crisis and the galloping inflation of the 1980s, the Gierek era seemed to be a time of prosperity. This period is quite easy to compare to today, as the average wage was at a similar level as now. Therefore, when you look at the prices at that time, you can see how poor life was then. Gierek's policy was to maintain relatively constant prices to prevent social discontent. He focused on consumerism, which was to convince Poles how good it is in socialism. Prices remained at a similar level, and the increase in wages, made people want to buy more and more. However, the shops were empty as the inefficient economy did not keep up with products. In the era of Gierek, the poem about Copernicus was paraphrased, creating the saying: "He paused the ham, the cheese started, comrade Gierek". In Poland, mainly pork was produced, and the times of cheap poultry production are not yet over. Hence, the symbol of social status and the object of desire was ham. It was a shame if your child had brought a cheese sandwich to school. The ham, at a price of around PLN 90 per kg, has become something of a national obsession that forced people to queue for hours. Interestingly, in the times of Gierek, the prices of cold meats were three times higher than today and much higher than the prices of cheese. The selection of cold cuts was much smaller than today, but their quality and taste surpassed modern products. First of all, they were produced more naturally, without chemicals or preservatives. Pork meats, such as ham, ham, Sopot tenderloin, and sausages were particularly popular. You may wonder why Poles stood 1 - 2 hours in line for ham for PLN 90 per kg during delivery times to stores, which took place twice a day. Housing fees were much lower, the prices in Pewex destroyed common sense because hardly anyone would buy pants for half a salary. Therefore, there was nothing to spend on the salary. In Gierek's time, vodka prices went up. The price for half a liter increased from 55 to 82 zlotys. Moonshining began to pay off despite severe penalties. Sugar began to disappear from store shelves, which is why in 1976 sugar cards were introduced. Average prices for the game:
- bread - PLN 4,
- 1 kg of sugar - PLN 10.50,
- a cube of butter - PLN 16,
- 1 kg of pork loin - PLN 56,
- 1 kg of regular sausage - PLN 44,
- 1 kg of ham - PLN 90,
- 1 kg of gouda cheese - PLN 50,
- 100 g of coffee - PLN 27-40,
- 1 kg of oranges - PLN 40,
- beer - PLN 3.6,
- Wyborowa vodka, half a liter - PLN 100.
Food was much more expensive than it is today. On the other hand, the state kept the prices of services, culture, etc. at a low level. The rents were cheap, and free medical care and schools were much more accessible. The tram ticket cost PLN 1 for 1 ride, and the bus ticket PLN 1.50. A ticket to the cinema ranged from 8 to 10 zlotys, while admission to the philharmonic hall cost only 5 zlotys. The price of a daily newspaper was PLN 1-1.5. A local telephone call without a time limit cost PLN 1 per call. From the time of Gomułka, the cake in the confectionery cost 2 zlotys, and for the late Gierek 3 zlotys. In the times of Gierek, there was an increase in technology, when the houses were permanently installed with appliances such as a refrigerator, a TV set, a vacuum cleaner, and music equipment. Electronics and household appliances were exorbitantly expensive compared to today's prices. A washing machine cost about PLN 10,000, a fridge around PLN 6,000, a vacuum cleaner PLN 900, a black and white TV set around PLN 7,000, and a color TV around PLN 20,000. It must have been a purchase for years. Therefore, broken equipment was repeatedly taped. Service and repair points were everywhere. Worn or damaged clothing was also not thrown away. The woman's clothes were repaired or altered by their own hands. Shoes were meant for the shoemaker and stockings and tights for repassing. Tights cost around PLN 80, shoes around PLN 300, a women's blouse or a men's shirt PLN 200-300, and a coat around PLN 1,500. In order to buy a car, you had to save your salaries for 3-4 years. The problem, however, was the lack of goods on the market. After making the prepayment, the buyer had to wait, sometimes for years, for the voucher, which was obtained as a result of the lottery. The bicycle cost about PLN 2,000, and the caravan - about PLN 40,000. During the strike wave of 1980, workers themselves demanded the keeping of food stamps to ensure even a minimum of supplies. A complicated system of rationing arose, according to which assignments were allocated according to age and work performed. First, the rationing of meat and cold cuts was introduced. Later, the cards were made of butter and cereal products, as well as washing powders and products for children. In 1982, the rationing covered food products, soap, cigarettes, and washing powder. Periodically, rationing of other goods and regional regulations were introduced. The purchase of gasoline was also limited. Galloping inflation began in the 1980s with prices rising day by day. Even a few days of wondering whether to buy or not made the price rise by 20-30%. You paid for everything with thousands of zlotys. In addition, there were product shortages, and standing in line for 3 hours for flour or sugar was the norm.
The term "bulls" denotes a type of tax that has developed in various ways throughout history. In the 16th century, a bull was called a fee for covering a cow. This fee was received by the owner of the bull. Later, "bull" meant a penalty for begetting an illegitimate son, and that was how alimony was commonly referred to. Colloquially, "bulls" also meant various donations and fees. For example, when at a wedding someone wanted to dance with the bride, he had to pay the musicians a bull. On the other hand, in the People's Republic of Poland, this was the name of the law that imposed a greater income tax for singles and childless people. In the People's Republic of Poland, between January 1, 1946, and January 1, 1973, married couples without children and singles (in the years 1945 - 1956 over 21, and in 1956 - 1973 over 25) paid a higher income tax. The bachelor tax in the People's Republic of Poland meant an increase in the income tax in the case of no dependent children. The rate of this tax was 20 and 10 percent, respectively, but it could only be applied when the total tax with increases did not exceed 65%. The announcement of the Minister of Finance of January 21, 1957, increased the age of unmarried and unmarried people, who had to pay more taxes, to 25 years. Moreover, it was established that the rate of the additional tax will be:
- 20% for singles over 25 who have no dependent children, and their total income exceeds PLN 9,420.00 per year,
- 10% of people who are married and have been married for at least 2 years have no dependent children, whose total income exceeds PLN 11,640.00 per year.
Under the communes, the people's government attached great importance to rebuilding the state, as well as increasing the number of citizens. Hence, efforts were made to discourage citizens from avoiding marriages and begetting children. Most often, men die in wars. Therefore, the problem after the war was also a large number of unmarried women. Many women lost their husbands in the war, and young girls could not find a husband. So the bachelor tax was intended to discourage men from remaining single. It is difficult to say whether the bachelor tax made the citizens of the People's Republic of Poland rush to get married and bring children into the world. In fact, the post-war years were a period of the baby boom when many children were born. For example, in 1955 as many as 794,000 children were born. Interestingly, in the times of the Polish People's Republic, the population increased by 14 million, and after the liberation, the population of Poland remains at almost the same level. However, the reasons should be seen rather in the changes in customs than in the tax policy of the state. Due to the considerable demographic growth, the bull tax was abolished in 1973.
In the post-war times, there were many children, because it was then that the baby boomers were born. The upbringing of children during these years has undergone significant transformations, which are largely related to changes in everyday life. The following factors influenced the different ways of upbringing and growing up of the young generation:
- a different family model,
- non-working mother and grandmother's presence,
- no television, computers and mobile phones,
- the lack of modern household appliances meant that children were more required to help at home,
- greater security outside the home.
In the times of the People's Republic of Poland, the mother and grandmother, or the grandfather, who did not work anymore, dealt mainly with the upbringing of children. Traditionally, roles in the family and in society have been divided into feminine and masculine. After the war, there was still a traditional family, where the woman did not work, looked after the house and children, and the man worked and brought home money. The money was given in full to his wife, who decided what to buy for it and de facto ruled the house. The women had more time to raise their children, but they were also busy with housework when there were no washing machines or ready-made food, and almost everything had to be done by hand. Fathers were more into playing and punishing. The father played with the children, taking them on Sunday to the park, to the zoo, for ice cream or for a trip. When the child had to be punished, he would take off his belt and smack him. Naughty children were threatened by their father, who should be strict. The people's state encouraged women to go to work and made it easier by organizing nurseries and kindergartens. However, rarely does any woman decide to put a child in a nursery. Rather, they chose a parental leave or the role of parenting was taken over by the grandmother. Grandmothers felt obliged to help and no one thought of self-realization in retirement. At present, the child's upbringing is also the responsibility of the father and mother, and no one is surprised to see men with a pram in the park. The upbringing of children in the times of the Polish People's Republic belonged to the mother, and the father did not interfere. However, it was different. Father was a fun companion for the child to play with when he had time. He was also an absent person who was scared of naughty children.
The times of the Polish People's Republic were a period when the people's state cared for the family, women gave birth in hospitals. However, there were no visits then and the family could wait for the expectant mother to show up at the window of the multi-person hospital room and wave. Families came, stood by the windows, and handed over the obligatory flowers and compotes for the woman in labor to the reception desk. After the birth of the child, only the woman was entitled to maternity and parental leave. It was a difficult period in which my grandmother was a great help. It meant preparing baby food, porridges, purees as well as washing and disinfecting reusable nappies. A common sight at that time was a huge pot in the kitchen, in which nappies were cooked. Were little children particularly brought up? The basis was learning how to behave at the table and among people, especially polite words. Often this role was taken over by neighbors who were indignant that the child forgot to say "good morning", "thank you" or "sorry". These were the times when there were no modern household appliances, ready-made food, and therefore a very important aspect was teaching children to help at home and do household chores so that the children were more independent. There was also a division into roles: the girls helped with setting the table and washing up, while the boys took out the rubbish and helped their father with repairs. These were the times when bringing up children was not stress-free. Children were not indulged from an early age. There was a rule of thumb not to allow your child to force his demands. Psychologists advised not to respond to the baby's cries and wait for him to tire and stop. It had its good and bad sides. The children learned that crying and screaming would do nothing. On the other hand, children felt unloved if no one hugged or comforted them. There was a strong hierarchy in the family and children were taught to respect their elders. The child was the lowest in the family hierarchy. He was required to obey and submit to adults. Some parents have explained to their children why they have certain requirements. But usually, parents gave orders and prohibitions, and the child should obey them and not expect an explanation. Corporal punishment was used from an early age, although most often it was simple spanking with the hand or lashing with a plastic net for shopping. Disobedient children were threatened by their father, who would come home from work and take off his belt, which unfortunately often happened. The most severe punishment for the child was a ban on going outside and sitting at home, while friends and colleagues were having their best time. But there were also prizes: sweets and gifts, albeit modest. The TOP 10 sweets of the Polish People's Republic included powdered orangeade, lollipops with a flower, and fruit candies. Children rarely had toys. The cult toys in the People's Republic of Poland were mainly teddy bears, balls, cars for boys, dolls, and jumping ropes for girls. Raising children in the times of the Polish People's Republic was the responsibility of parents. The kindergarten was a place where the children stayed while their parents were at work. Children aged 3 to 6 attended the kindergarten and spent their time there on games and games organized by kindergarten girls. They also got dinner. The duty was an after-dinner nap, which most kids didn't like. The school was to learn to read and write and prepare for a profession in the people's state. Raising children was not part of the school's tasks. On the other hand, children were indoctrinated from an early age. In each class, there were portraits of Vladimir Lenin and the leaders of the Polish People's Republic. Appeals, school academies, and celebrations related to Polish-Soviet friendship were organized. In line with the principle that the people's state needed workers, not the intelligentsia, children and parents were encouraged to choose vocational schools. Some teachers showed great zeal in this respect and successfully persuaded parents that the child should be assigned to a skilled worker. People were asked about their origin, and their intellectual background was an obstacle in their future professional careers. Older children in primary school were encouraged to join party youth. However, decade after decade, the indoctrination in schools has waned. Lessons at school usually ended at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. Some schools organized after-school clubs where children could stay until 5 p.m. when parents returned from work. However, the vast majority of children walked around with keys hanging on a string around their necks and returned home alone. In the times of the Polish People's Republic, a child rarely had a room, and if it did, it shared it with its siblings. A typical Polish apartment in the times of the Polish People's Republic, it consisted of the main room where the whole family spent their time, ate their Sunday lunch, and where there was a TV set. Sometimes it was the only room where everyone slept. The larger flats had a separate bedroom for parents and a separate bedroom for children. School children were independent. They often walked with their keys around their necks and returned home on their own. They had to do their homework and help their mother, but otherwise, they had free time. Parents could not afford additional activities, such as learning languages, dancing, etc. However, for children who showed some abilities, there were free community centers where free music, art, etc. classes were offered. Every child, especially girls, was required to "help their mother". Parents assigned various kinds of small duties, such as washing dishes, taking out the garbage, cleaning their toys, etc. Often the children would warm up their own lunch or shop before their mother came home from work. Children, as children, tried to avoid these duties as much as possible.
Despite the school, doing homework, and doing chores, the children had plenty of free time spent outdoors. Most of the time, the children played in the yard or on the street next to the house. Nobody watched them, they went wherever they wanted and played wherever they wanted. The central place for children to play was a backyard beater, which could be used to perform various acrobatics. Children climbed trees, hid in bushes, ran to play at construction sites, rubble or landfills. Nobody cared about it then. Frequent hand washing or excessive hygiene was not required. The children picked unripe apples and ate them unwashed, and nobody cared about it unless they were apples from someone else's garden. But if the owner of the garden patted the skin of the rascals, no one was against it. The children were free and independent. They often played outside until dusk. Mothers were calling their children out of the window for lunch or throwing a newspaper-wrapped sandwich from the window. Crushed knees and small wounds were smeared with gentian so that almost all of the children walked with purple-smeared knees and elbows. In the 1960s, hardly anyone had a TV at home. Television became popular in the mid-1970s and then the child's time was measured by bedtime, which was usually at 7pm. After bedtime, the children washed and went to bed. Carefree children's games until dusk, and on holidays from dawn, began to disappear in the late 1970s. Children were let out alone into the yard less and less often, and less and less often they were allowed to run freely around the area. Was it related to the increasing car traffic or the growing fear that something would happen to the child? Certainly, TV programs in which parents were threatened with dangers outside the home played a significant role. More and more children were encouraged to sit at home and watch TV. At the end of the 1970s, everything was scarce, including cleaning products, soap, and washing powder. Back then, it was a great stress for every mother when the child came home dirty, puddled, and all dirty. What to wash with, how to wash clothes when the washing powder is on the sheets? The holidays were the most wonderful time for the child. Children most often went to their grandparents in the countryside, because most of the city dwellers were immigrants and almost everyone had a family in the countryside. The people's state offered children summer camps organized by workplaces. The employees' children went to rural schools for the summer, which was converted into boarding schools. Only the wealthy could afford van life in the People's Republic of Poland, which consisted of traveling around the country in their own car.
Sources:
https://www.zus.pl/baza-wiedzy/skladki-warzenianiki-odsetki/wźniki/przecietne-wynagreniem-w-latach
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