Women's Equality in Japan, A Cause for Concern
Written by Takeru
For a country that is second-highest in world's leading nations in the economy -- runner-up to the US , and one spot in front of China -- it comes to a surprise that Japan is still, viewed by many, as slow as ever with the progress of gender inequality. While most of the leading nations around the world have women taking on leading positions in offices, military, and just about anywhere, Japanese woman still find themselves separate in more ways than one, from the men.
A decade since the passing of the Basic Law of Gender Equality, Japan has seen little change with its scope on women's roles. However, despite having strong beliefs that the woman's place remain at home, there has been some increase to the number of women taking on some jobs that would’ve been easily filled by a male worker.
Although, even with this increase some women have faced setbacks when dealing with maternity leave or childcare, since most work places refuse to let parental females divide time between childcare and their jobs -- it must be one or the other, it seems. Because of this, there has been a low rate in women in managerial positions and in supervisory positions as well as a consistent low rate of women having children. Not to mention, more young women are choosing not to marry because it is believed by those in the work-place that once you're married, your value in the professional field is dropped.
For those who choose or who have chosen not to marry, their reasons are simple: Freedom and Independence. Many of professional women and those who aren't yet in the professional field, believe that without the bindings of a serious relationship with a man, they can free themselves to venture through life for their dreams. But why can't Japan, like most of the other leading nations, accept a woman who is both a hard-working professional and a hard-working mother and wife?
There still has lots to be done with Japan and its views on gender equality it seems, but for such a country that strictly keeps its traditional values, will change come in the foreseeable future?
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written by Patricia, September 04, 2009
Good for these Japanese women they can have freedom and Independence
For those who choose or who have chosen not to marry, their reasons are simple: Freedom and Independence. Many of professional women and those who aren't yet in the professional field, believe that without the bindings of a serious relationship with a man, they can free themselves to venture through life for their dreams.
Amen
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Last Updated on 02 December 2009
Sadly probably not Its time to take a stand and say we wouldn't take this unfair treatment any longer. If a woman wants to have a career and be a parent she should be able to and it is possible. I had a successful career myself and it did not stop me from being a good and involved mother to six kids or a good spouse to my late husband.