Being a Soviet Woman
About Elina Arturovna Plotichkina
Elina Arturovna Plotichkina is a very bright woman who is still in her sixties and is very energetic and joyful. If you are looking for my wonderful Grandmother, you would like to look for a beautiful woman who loves her children and grandchildren more than anything in the world. She would probably appear to be a very powerful woman since she lived in the Soviet Union and worked more than 3 jobs. Elina was a nurse , a school principal and a loving wife to my Grandfather Igor Plotichkin. My Grandmother is a mother to my uncle Alexander and my mother Irina. But good luck finding her because in the meantime she is probably doing something crazy for a 62 year old.
How was it growing up in the Soviet Union?
“Growing up in the Soviet Union was awesome. Many People think that growing up in the Soviet Union Wasn’t so good but If you ask me I think I had a better childhood than many kids right now. Since my small town wasn’t really affected by the cold war or anything I had a very bright and joyful childhood. At that time me and my friends played many games outside like hide and seek. It was very fun. We also Went gathering berries, we read books , wrote letters And had fun. Since we didn’t have any gadgets or Even a tv (although my family had a tv) we would play Outside and get fresh air. I think I had the best life Possible. In the winter we would play with snow And go sledding or play on ice.”
How did the Soviet Union affect your identity?
“That is a good question. One thing that changed my identity Is that in school at the age of eleven we would already know What we want to be when we are older. Schooling in the Soviet Union in the 60’s was very different from today. We had only about Three people in the whole school who didn’t know who they Wanted to be when they are older. The jobs list was handed out To us in 5th grade. When I was five years old I already knew That I wanted to be a doctor/nurse. I said who I wanted to be And the teachers would split us up into groups. Group Teachers , group doctors, group sportsmen etc.Based on our group we got taught the same things just In a different way. Like for example sportsmen got more sport Than doctors. The reason why it impacted my Identity is that I think it made me more brave and ready for everything because I had to make big decisions when I was only eleven years old.”
What advice would you give your younger self or people with the same experience as you?
“Oh haha. I would definitely tell my Younger self a lot of things but one thing that is very important is Don't be lazy because when I was Younger I had a huge problem with Laziness and this is not only about me It’s advice to everyone. Because I was Lazy I didn’t finish medical school and only Became a nurse. Honestly don’t be lazy It will kill your wishes. Being lazy affected My identity in a huge way because since I was lazy while being a child I have been Lazy my whole life. Another thing is to be A bit braver and to not be scared of Anything”
“I’m proud of being a Soviet”
-Elina Arturovna Plotichkina
Did It affect your Identity?
“Well, not necessarily because since I lived in a small town it didn’t affect me. I definitely knew about it and we would get updates on it on the radio but all that information was only from the Russian government's point of view. But, No I wouldn't say it affected my identity in any way. What was scary was the war with Afghanistan that did actually get people scared. But nothing really happened so it was fine, the only thing it brought was fear.”
Did you ever feel discriminated against for an Identity?
“I wouldn’t say so. The only thing that I got judged for is that since I grew up in the Soviet Union I always had to act tough so that I wouldn’t get pick pocketed because things were quite tight with money at the time so I had to be a strong woman. That made me quite strict and I got a couple comments when I was a principal at a school but nothing else really”
