Changing roles of women in japan - Research Paper Example

Japanese women have sought since 1950’s to alter the underlying traditional responsibility of a lady who has transform into housewife and corresponding mother immediately after marriage. This is mainly due to their underlying approaches towards matrimonial and the existing family system. Nevertheless, the present new generation mainly composes of the educated women who are mainly seeking career as employed woman. Subsequent to the World War II women have advanced a more idiosyncratic attitude to life (Yu, 89-125). Women currently wait to get married when they are much grown-up by dwelling in their home lengthier, vacationing to Hawaii and corresponding funding to the economy with their underlying disposable income. Moreover, there has been drastic decrease in the arranged marriages, numerous women have taken jobs in order to find spouses on their own and even subsequent to marriage and having children they stay working, which was inconceivable prior to 1950s. A popular perception that is still is dominant within the Japanese society is that the prevailing employed married are seen as a threat to the family. With the prevailing new reforms and diverse attitudes towards the traditional family life, gender disparity is presently prevalent. The position of Japanese women in the society demonstrates an interesting combination of myths and illusion (Mo?hwald, 23-79). Japanese societies have both the private and public societies that mostly depict the western image which shows a submissive Japanese woman is factual, and nonetheless, it is only an image. In their private household life, Japanese women were generally oppressed by the male members of the family. In comparison to the western society and standards, Japanese women are extraordinarily dedicated to their families \(Lebra et al, 67-145). This is largely attributed to the influences of two old philosophies namely; Samurai based feudalism and Confucianism. In addition to this, it is also believed that the roles have significantly changed since World War II. Introduction Japan has displayed an inspirational history of development within the administration and gender ideologies since 1800s. Within the year 1868, the underlying Meiji age moved Japan from feudalism within the Tokugawa era to a more advances modern state. Moreover, the Taisho era in the year 1912 perpetuated Japan’s journey to the corresponding modernity by embracing more Western cultures. The gender building of the women within Japanese society altered from the Tokugawa epoch to the corresponding World War I. Within the epochs of Tokugawa and Meiji, women were mainly assigned family responsibilities and duties and possessed restricted rights. Nevertheless, during the era of Taisho and subsequent to World War I, women commenced to foster for equality thereby rebuffing the underlying traditional gender ideologies. Numerous women did not subscribe to the traditional gender responsibilities by either becoming geishas or prostitutes. This resulted to numerous debates amongst both the female and corresponding male activists in regard to the issues of women’s responsibilities that were seen as means of eliminating prostitutions (Yu, 89-125). The role of women within Japan is extremely diverse as compared to the responsibility of the modern day women within the western civilization. Nevertheless, this the same to the responsibility women undertake within the American forty years ago. Presently women within Japan are required to devote their underlying energies in bringing up their offspring whilst men dedicate themselves to careers (Farris, 122-245). Nevertheless, there is an escalation within Japanese women in regard to expressing interest in the full time careers. Majority of the women are young and single without offspring. Moreover, they are extremely educated (Mo?hwald, 23-79). Literature review Since 1940’s women in japan have pursued to modify the old-fashioned responsibility of a working woman who turn into a mother and a housewife after marriage. This is clearly elaborated in their perception of Japanese family organization and matrimony. The present society demonstrates an upcoming group of young and educated women who pursue a career as a working woman while also still take part in their reproductive roles. The transformation mainly began after World War II when Japanese women developed rather a more personal approach to life. Initially, Women waited to become older in order to marry, most of them often lived at home longer, visiting to Hawaii, and contributing to the economic development with their little income. In general, the present Japanese society is characterized with the decline in arranged marriages; instead many women are taking responsibility to find themselves husbands (Yu, 89-125). In comparison to the past, women continue to work even after marriage and giving birth. Nonetheless the adjustments in the society, married women who work are still considered a threat to the family. Inequality between women and men is still enormous regardless of the new reforms and different attitudes towards traditional family life (Muir, 78-119). The notion can be justified with the popular traditional expression that states that “Good wife, wise mother. Changing role of Japanese women As it is a tradition in many countries and cultural practices of different communities of the world, women in Japan were oppressed and dominated by their male counterparts for a very long time (Farris, 122-245). Japanese women were not allowed to own property neither were they entitled to any right, for example , women were not permitted to read business transactions and political articles or great literary works written in kanji. This was meant to enhance their subordination to men. However, the role of Japanese women has intensely evolved since the time of World War II. Modernization era instigated around in 1860 immediately after the collapse of feudalism. It is highlighted that during this period, learning opportunities for women became more available. However, learning was entirely based on equipping women with skills relevant to homemaking. Careers in the public domain caused social exclusion and discrimination of women. The desire to address the existing challenges provided the first stage is commonly known as quiet revolution. Major focus was to permit transformation to be persistent in the Japanese culture based on good and beneficial interpersonal relationships (Yu, 89-125). The tradition offered married women the lowest status in the society, their main responsibility was to serve the husband and mother in law without any complain. In light of this, a married woman was expected to be the first person to wake up in the morning and the last person to sleep late at night (Mo?hwald, 23-79). Even though Japanese women were cruelly misused and mistreated by the society, they rose to become useful to the Japans economic success (Muir, 78-119). During public disturbance, women became the moral foundation and pillars of the country. Due to their changing roles and expectations, Japanese women established themselves to be influential in Japan’s development in the recent past. The role of women became more evident in the pursuit of strategies to effectively compete with other Asian and Western countries. In order to achieve their objective, Japanese government encouraged women to give birth to more kids. Japanese Women contribution is also evident in the economic sector and to a large extent Japanese women are linked with the economic success of Japan. This is because aid in required mechanisms to finance its modernization through the export of textile. A large number of women got employed to work in the textile factories. By the year 1900, approximately 250,000 Japanese women employed in the textile industry, this contributed to about 65% of the labor force. Japanese society outline formation of a new society based on influences which include; Buddhism and Samurai based feudalism. The beliefs emphasized on society instead of an individual. The period starting in 1858 provided landmark achievement for Japan (Yu, 89-125). The country signed many unequal treaties with the Western states. Initially, the Western countries perceived Japan as backward and barbarian, hence there was need to address the women oppression Akiyama, Paula. Involvement of Japanese women in economic production increased during World War II, this is because close to 2.5 million men were recruited into the Japanese Army, and the operation took almost 17% of Japanese male population capable to work (Farris, 122-245). Therefore there was urgent need for women to fill the gaps left by the men involved in World War II. To overcome the shortage in the labor market, women started to work in factories, mills and mines. Most women became single parents and had the responsibility of taking care of their families in absence of their husbands (Lebra et al, 67-145). The end of World War II provided drastic and remarkable changes in the Japanese. Major cities were destroyed by bombings, most of cities were worn-out, and many citizens were left homeless. In other words, the World War II caused both the destruction of the social system of communities of Japan and economic bankruptcy. What followed was that every citizen was supposed to provide a living for themselves. This frantic condition further assisted to create a basic democratic inclination, it further facilitated in feudalistic family system. World War II caused economic, social and political changes in Japan. The most notable change of quiet revolution that resulted in the enactment of the constitution took place in 1947. The constitution promoted and safeguarded women and provided them with the right to vote, run for an elective post, the right town property, and right to education, as well as protection from forceful marriage. Implementation of the laws took a few years. However, it provided the first step towards liberation of the women in Japan (Mo?hwald, 23-79). Thereafter, women started to advance their education and majority of the women started to participate more effectively in the labor market (Muir, 78-119). These adjustments greatly transformed the life of women and culture of the Japanese society. As expected, the transformations faced many challenges from the society, work environment and family set up but the Japanese women continuously made advances regardless of the opposition they faced In the twentieth century, chances of education for Japanese women rose further. During this era women enrollment in higher education exceeded the number of men. It is estimated that about 48.9 % of total population in Japan of the population progresses to higher education (Muir, 78-119). In this regard, Women who were given training to enable them become good homemakers, have shifted from the belief and are currently taking social science courses and engineering courses. A major challenge exists since most universities are governed by the Japanese men, and in many cases there are very few or no women professors. These setting intimidates many capable women to attend university. To worsen the situation rate of internet adoption at home is slow Japan hence it is difficult to get a degree online By the year 1990 about 50% of all Japanese women aged over fifteen years took part in the work force. Scholars believe that this age presented two major variations in the females in the workplace. First, women shifted away from home based employment and nurturing roles as expected by the society. This resulted into problems with child care, housekeeping and care for the elderly people. The second main amendment was involvement of married women in the workplace. It is projected that roughly 62% of female workforce were single ladies by the year1950. Further, statistics indicate that in 1987 close to 66% of the female workforce consisted of married women, and only 23% were not married (Statistical handbook of Japan, 2006). This showed a drastic change from the 1950s during which more than half the women in employment consisted of unmarried women (Farris, 122-245). The women who decided to work after marriage were employed to work in government and professional. During this period, it was also easy for the women to leave the work after childbirth and resume later after the child was in school. Societal transformation also enhanced salary of working women, in that women’s earnings average approximately 60% of working males, however, it was not fair for women to work full time based on their salaries. Explanation of the reason of Japanese women in regards to the seeking employment opportunities mainly pertain to the traditionally the Japanese culture expected the wife of the oldest son to look after the husbands parents. As can be expected many Japanese women do not like the practice, instead most of them decide to stay with their parents. The average birthrate in Japan is ever decreasing as from 1960s (Mo?hwald, 23-79). The Japanese women make many hard choices with the reducing population and the subsequent longer life expectancy of old generation. This resulted to tough economic pressures even though numerous families have managed to double income sources (Lebra et al, 67-145).  The Japanese women are expected to participate in the work environment so as to keep steady flow of income into the family, offer good care for the aging generation and raise their children in a more sustainable manner, and efficiently manage the household. At the same time the rate of couples divorcing is also rising hence most married couples are not giving birth. Another issue of concern is that married Japanese men do not help their wives to perform house chores, and mostly in households in which both partners work, the men spend less hours in household activities as compared to the women counterparts. Japanese women have evolved in all fields including business, yet, Japanese men do not easily relate to women in authoritative positions. This promotes male dominance since the woman has to show loyalty to man through dressing and keeping the hair short. For example women are expected to tie their hair back or make them shorter (Farris, 122-245). Besides, women are infrequently allowed to wear short skirts, jewelry, or heels at work place. Women are also empowered by The Equal Employment Opportunity Law that was passed in 1986 (Lebra et al, 67-145). The law requires equal treatment of women and men in the society starting from recruitment of new workers to retirement. The average annual income of working women in japan is about 50% of the income of Japanese man (Lebra et al, 67-145). This is an important statistic that outlines the differences that still exists in the Japanese culture up to date. Even though the women’s movement gives more legal rights to the women, there still exists discrimination towards women at various workplaces. Many of the concerns highlighted are still common at the present time, although some modifications and opposing views have come up since the 1980s. The traditional belief of women quitting their job after childbirth or marriage is gradually grinding down thus making numerous women to embrace development of sustainable career path (Farris, 122-245). The upcoming generation in Japan is transforming their views and attitudes about good roles of wives and husbands. Currently, over half of Japanese women are involved in employment, but majority of them hold positions that are lower than men (Mo?hwald, 23-79). The main adjustments that the Japanese women are pursuing are taking place at a time when Japan is experiencing social and economic challenges. Most women now prefer not to get married, instead the Japanese women are taking up jobs and leadership positions other than family nurturing and homemaking. Most women are presently working after marriage and giving birth to children while divorce rate is high as well as caring for the house activities (Farris, 122-245). Even with these significant improvements there is still a wage difference between women and men. Women are largely considered a cheap or free source of labor, hence they earn less of what their male counterparts earn, and the principal caregivers of their families. Japanese women constitute the world’s best educated women but they are not given the best treatment that they deserve. The topical legislations and economic has made Japan’s economy becoming more favorable and friendly to women who decide to work (Lebra et al, 67-145). The responsibilities of Japanese women within the interrelated positions of politics and corresponding consumer activism provide a fascinating paradox since women makes the larger part of the voting bloc followed by men (Mo?hwald, 23-79). Moreover, Japanese women are presently seen to exercise political power on the common people as opposed to the governmental level. The alteration of the role of women within Japanese society is depicted by their underlying employment patterns. Traditionally Japanese women have worked until the age of marriage and subsequently retiring to become housewives. There are numerous variables that have contributed to the post 1945 era (Yu, 89-125). Demographic and cultural-normative variables have resulted to enhance of the women’s right. Demographic alteration in relation to the women’s family roles within the post war era is in the pattern of women’s life cycle and the corresponding move toward the nuclear family household. Japanese families depicts that the peak is normally experienced by the present families for longer era than the families in the 1940’s implying that parents are within their 40’s when the family is under the heftiest financial problem (Farris, 122-245). Works Cited Yu, Wei-Hsin. Gendered Trajectories: Women, Work, and Social Change in Japan and Taiwan. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 2009. Print. Farris, Catherine S. P. Women in the New Taiwan: Gender Roles and Gender Consciousness in a Changing Society. Armonk, N.Y. ;London: M.E. Sharpe, 2004. Print. Sato, Barbara H. The New Japanese Woman: Modernity, Media, and Women in Interwar Japan. Durham [N.C.: Duke University Press, 2003. Mo?hwald, Ulrich. Changing Attitudes Towards Gender Equality in Japan and Germany. Mu?nchen: Iudicium, 2002. Print. Pharr, Susan J. Political Women in Japan: The Search for a Place in Political Life. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1981. Print. 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