Being a Man and Being a Woman in Fascist Italy

Event Type: Branch

Takes Place: 21st March 2026

Time: 11am

Venue: National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

Description: The talk examines gendered models of behaviour that were dominant during Italy’s fascist dictatorship. It draws on examples of fascist propaganda and education, alongside mainstream and cosmopolitan print media, to stress how in its efforts to impose models of masculinity and femininity the fascist regime competed with modern consumer culture. The talk then analyses a number of individual cases to illustrate how Italians experienced the fascist period as men and as women. The analysis underlines the differential treatment of male and female sexual behaviour and the ambiguities characterising fascist sexual morality. A key question underlying the talk is the extent to which the rise of fascism marked a distinct turn in gendered societal attitudes.

How to book: No booking required

Price: Free

Email: historyliz1565@yahoo.com

Website: www.haswansea.org.uk

Organiser: Swansea Branch

Lecturer: Dr Jonathan Dunnage

Comments: Jonathan Dunnage was formerly Associate Professor of Modern European History at Swansea University, where he is now an Honorary Research Associate. His books include Twentieth Century Italy: A Social History (Longman, 2002) and Mussolini’s Policemen: Beha

Region: Wales

Branch: Swansea

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