medical and technical measures which the Soviet state implements so as to provide conditions which will enable working women to combine work in the national economy with motherhood. The law forbids the unfounded refusal of employment, direct or indirect restriction of rights and the direct or indirect granting of privileges on grounds of sex. In some jobs which are mainly performed by women, differentiated work patterns and production noms do exist. Thus for instance, in the textile industry, women weavers, spinners and twisters approaching pensionable age (over 45) have their production norms reduced. A shorter working week is granted to telephonists and nursery staff - 36 hours instead of the normal 41-hour working week, for doctors - 30-39 hours, etc. With the aim of facilitating and minimising all types.of housework, and replacing it by a communal means of satisfying the family's everyday needs. community services are being rapidly developed, with service facilities being brought closer to the place of work. Many thousands of works now have convenience food stores, dry cleaners', hairdressers, etc. Working women's free time is extended by providing them with the opportunity of selecting more convenient work patterns while they are bringing up their children, especially small children. A working mother may elect to work part-time for a period specified by herself, after which she returns to normal working times. Motherhood as a social function of women. State aid to families The Constitution of the USSR provides for the legal protection, and for the material and moral support of mother and child. The state protection of motherhood is provided for by a system of special institutions - maternity homes, maternity wards in hospitals, antenatal clinics, etc., which care for the woman's health. Today, every woman receives free medical care during her employment.
**Analysis**
The text discusses various measures implemented by the Soviet state to support working women and their families, focusing on their employment and motherhood. The measures are related to employment, work patterns, and social services, indicating that the text is primarily concerned with the working lives of women and their families.

**Category**
Employment, Health