In Japanese society men are the more dominant gender. In the past the role of the women is to be a housewife and a mother while the man is to be the “breadwinner”, which means bringing in the income to the family (Lim Shan-Loong). There is also a strong male dominance in Japan’s workforce. Men hold most of the higher positions while women who a seen as temporary labor and are expected to resign after marriage or childbirth (Lim Shan-Loong). This is also the reason for more career opportunities for men than there are for women (Lim Shan-Loong).
In Japan there are proper ways the genders are supposed to act especially the women. Women in Japan are expected to be feminine as femininity is a desirable trait for which Japanese men often look for in a spouse (CASEY BARNES). This has changed however as more and more Japanese women are abandoning this trait and are characterizing themselves as masculine and are proud of it (CASEY BARNES).
Marriage is an important part an individual’s life in Japan (CASEY BARNES). In Japan, they believe that everyone must go through marriage as it will give the individual a sense of fulfillment in their lives (CASEY BARNES). This idea places a heavy burden on the women since if a woman is single they are seen as they have an empty life while if a man is single he is enjoying his life through his work (CASEY BARNES). So there is much pressure for women to get married as soon as they can in Japan.
The gender equality has gotten better after World War II (Lim Shan-Loong). After the children had grown up, women were allowed to re-enter the workforce. They are also allowed to work later and are capable of having dangerous jobs that were once only reserved for men (Lim Shan-Loong). Women are also now being promoted to supervisory positions more often (Lim Shan-Loong).
I think that the women and men’s role in Japan is very similar to that of America. Women here are also seen as a caretaker and the men as the “breadwinners” but of course that has changed throughout the decades. I would say that Japan is still behind of their gender equality but has definitely gotten much better as to allow women to have more job opportunities. Although Japan still has a long way until there is complete gender equality.
Citation
CASEY BARNES, J. K. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/kcjami1.htm
Lim Shan-Loong, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://marklsl.tripod.com/Writings/japan.htm
In Japan there are proper ways the genders are supposed to act especially the women. Women in Japan are expected to be feminine as femininity is a desirable trait for which Japanese men often look for in a spouse (CASEY BARNES). This has changed however as more and more Japanese women are abandoning this trait and are characterizing themselves as masculine and are proud of it (CASEY BARNES).
Marriage is an important part an individual’s life in Japan (CASEY BARNES). In Japan, they believe that everyone must go through marriage as it will give the individual a sense of fulfillment in their lives (CASEY BARNES). This idea places a heavy burden on the women since if a woman is single they are seen as they have an empty life while if a man is single he is enjoying his life through his work (CASEY BARNES). So there is much pressure for women to get married as soon as they can in Japan.
The gender equality has gotten better after World War II (Lim Shan-Loong). After the children had grown up, women were allowed to re-enter the workforce. They are also allowed to work later and are capable of having dangerous jobs that were once only reserved for men (Lim Shan-Loong). Women are also now being promoted to supervisory positions more often (Lim Shan-Loong).
I think that the women and men’s role in Japan is very similar to that of America. Women here are also seen as a caretaker and the men as the “breadwinners” but of course that has changed throughout the decades. I would say that Japan is still behind of their gender equality but has definitely gotten much better as to allow women to have more job opportunities. Although Japan still has a long way until there is complete gender equality.
Citation
CASEY BARNES, J. K. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/kcjami1.htm
Lim Shan-Loong, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://marklsl.tripod.com/Writings/japan.htm