Young Polish women against Ukrainian women: competition for jobs, housing, and male attention intensifies hostility

According to the results of a sociological study, the highest level of negative attitudes toward Ukrainian women living in Poland is found among Polish women under the age of 29.

Researchers explain this as a manifestation of competition between members of the two ethnic groups.

Professor Piotr Długosz from Kraków believes one of the main reasons is economic anxiety — young Polish women fear for their future on the job market and their ability to access housing.

Cultural differences also play a role. For instance, Polish female students point to differences in child-rearing styles, expressing surprise that Ukrainian mothers feel comfortable openly scolding their children in public.

Researcher Robert Staniszewski added that Ukrainian women often express dissatisfaction with the quality and pricing of services in Polish beauty salons, which provokes a backlash.

An interesting insight also emerged from a self-assessment survey: Ukrainian women rated their own attractiveness at an average of 8.5 out of 10, while Polish women rated themselves at 6.5.

According to the authors of the study, this gap in self-perception may lead to more confident behavior among Ukrainian women, which Polish women often interpret as excessive self-assurance or even hostility — ultimately intensifying intergroup tension.