GENDER ROLES IN JAPAN

Gender roles in Japan are in a constant state of evolution. Attitudes towards these roles among younger couples in Japan are changing and becoming more flexible. Attitudes are changing but behaviors are not. In Japan the man and the woman play two very different roles. The Japanese man is expected to perform as little twenty to thirty minutes of domestic work per day. His job is to be the bread winner for the family. The Japanese woman is expected to take care of all domestic chores as well as care for the children.

The nuclear family, one in which biological parents love and nurture their children was not introduced in Japan until the early twentieth century. In 1889 the Japanese Imperial Constitution legally defined the family as formed by blood lineage with a father as the head of the household in a written law. However, it was not until 1945, after being defeated in World War II that the concept of family was understood in a modern way. Prior to this polygamy was legal and the man along with all of his wives and all of their children were considered to be one family.

Even today Japanese customs prevail in the marital relationship. The husband and wife are expected to communicate as little as possible in Japan. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is the usual amount of time. This situation has been described as domestic divorce. There is no conversation, communication and sexual relations between a husband and wife, but they do not divorce. The mother is responsible for all childcare and the men are expected to play with the children on weekends only. After the children are born the parental role takes precedence over the role of a couple. The wife refers to the husband as father and the husband refers to the wife as mother.

In the business world the men call the shots. Japanese society generally adopts a chauvinistic attitude toward women who regard the career as more important than the family. The women who have to be in the work force are viewed as being temporary and generally take on non leadership roles. This makes career advancement for the woman considerably more difficult.

Recent changes in Japan's economy are tipping the scales in the favor of women who want to pursue a career. Recession is forcing many women out of the home and into the workplace. Much like the western view towards women changed, the Japanese are beginning to take positive steps towards increased gender equality.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Smith.
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