10 Soviet-era prohibitions: anti-Sovietism and freedom of expression

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Most people remember the Soviet years with joy and gratitude. Nostalgic for how wonderful it used to be. But in addition to high-quality products, a well-coordinated social order and a good education, there were many things in the USSR that had to be abandoned. Now such prohibitions seem wild and would cause a storm of indignation, but in those days the refusal of some benefits was considered the norm. You didn't have to argue, but can you dream?

1. Bright looks are out of fashion

In the USSR, there was an unspoken ban on too bright makeup and hair shade (at least before perestroika). Hairstyles were monotonous, restrained styling was in full swing. Should I mention piercings? It was strictly forbidden to do it, since one could run into an ardent rejection of the public. In the same way, the male part of the population had a negative attitude towards long hair. The hippie style was out of favor, so long, loose hair in the Western style was considered a sign of poor upbringing. Girls were forced to braid their hair or in a ponytail. Overly styled bangs with a lot of hairspray were also forbidden.

2. Registration

No liberties. Registration must be permanent, with rare exceptions. In the USSR, it was not customary to often change their place of residence at their own discretion. A family and a familiar habitat are a sign of decency and good upbringing.

3. No foreign savings

It is better not to deal with foreign currency. Anything foreign is unacceptable for a Soviet person. There was also an article in this regard in the criminal code. Those who secretly dealt with foreign exchange were nicknamed "butterfly". She promised severe punishment for violating the rules on foreign exchange transactions.

4. Public housing

It was also not accepted to buy apartments and houses. Housing was provided by the state. Those who wanted to receive it had to join the cooperative, waiting for their turn and fulfilling a number of simple obligations. Among them: payment of a mandatory down payment and monthly payments. Regular payments are very similar to modern mortgages, but they have a significant advantage - the absence of an exorbitant loan interest. But there is also a disadvantage of such a system for obtaining housing: after all contributions were paid, the apartment still remained in collective ownership.

5. Forbidden love

Expressing your feelings in public was considered unacceptable. The maximum that lovers could afford was to hold or walk arm in arm. Kisses, hugs and close contact were totally discouraged. In the event of a misconduct, sidelong glances and malicious slander from everyone around, colleagues, neighbors and school friends would be a mandatory measure of punishment. Modern youth would not like such restrictions very much.

6. Education with working off

After receiving education, it was necessary to distribute all students to places of work. Of course, it's great when, after completing your educational training, you already have a place to earn money, but there is not much choice either. Whether you want it or not, you have to work. Pay your debt to the state.

7. Homosexuals and karatekas - one field of the berry

In the USSR, bodybuilders, karatekas, speculators and homosexuals were criminalized. Karate and bodybuilding were banned until 1978. Sodomy is a separate article in the criminal code, which was also severely punished. Homosexuality was considered a crime against the person and was subject to punishment in prison for up to 5 years, and for related crimes, up to 8 years.

8. Taboo on traveling abroad

It was impossible to just take, pack up and go to a foreign country. Now only their own desire and sufficient money are enough. But in the USSR, state permission was required for such an adventure. The citizen first had to ask the government for a permit for a certain trip, which was not issued without good reason. And a banal vacation is not an argument. Most often, those who needed it for work went abroad. The rest of the people had to be content with the vast expanses of the Soviet Union.

9. No criticism

In the Soviet Union, there was even a special concept on this score - anti-Sovietism. It meant a personal opinion that ran counter to the foundations of Soviet power, social foundations, or expressed a specific rejection of the system. If a person was convicted of such an offense, he was promised punishment to the fullest extent of the criminal code. And there were no friends in such matters, anyone could inform you, so you had to keep your discontent to yourself.

10. Libraries

In the Soviet Union, there was an extensive list of prohibited literature. Strict restrictions were in place from the 1920s to the 1980s. It included Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago, Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, Orwell's Animal Farm, and many of Bulgakov's books.