Gender Roles in Japan Essay - 2137 Words

It is no secret that for centuries, the Japanese woman has been, to most observers, a model of elegance and graceful beauty. A picture of a kimono-clad, modest, and often silent woman has been plastered everywhere, allowing for the upmost passive subjection. If we look deeper into this image of woman, can we tell if this picture is complete? How do these women painted in representative images far in the modern world? The ideal woman in Japan is expected to be both a good wife, and a wise mother. Though these seem like reasonable expectations, there is a much deeper meaning to them that has shown signs of being outdated. During the 1800’s and 1900’s, women were subjected to society’s vision of them, and could not break free for fear of the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"She is intelligent, modest, unselfish, and always thoughtful of the other members of the family. She is particular about her manner and impresses everybody she meets with her graceful dignity †¦She rises earlier and retires later than anybody else in the family. She has never allowed herself to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning in bed, and the sickbed is the only place for her to rest†¦Endurance and repression are her greatest ideals. She says to me, ‘Endurance a woman should cultivate more than anything else. If you endure well in any circumstance, you will achieve happiness.† This quote is representative of the popular stereotype of Japanese women. It defines how they worked hard at home to please the men, and did whatever was expected of them without complaint. A key word in this quote is endurance. It is stated that a woman who endures well in any circumstance will achieve happiness, and what is said is true. History reports that though there were many women in leadership positions (Queens, empresses, etc.), they appeared to be second-class citizens. It seemed as though the only relationship they were prompted to have was with their husbands. However, they endured. They came to the realization that if this is how life would be, this is the life they would have to get used to. Due to multiple different influences, there are many inconsistencies when it comes to the role of women in ancient Japan.Show MoreRelatedGender Roles : Japan And Japan1111 Words   |  5 Pagessurvey conducted by the Japan Times has found that `40 percent of both men and women in their 20s to 40s believe husbands should work full time while their wives stay at home`. (Japan times 2014) Also, a number of male and female respondents answered that they believe women should focus on parenting when their children are very young and so no work. This survey clearly shows how ingrained concepts of male and female roles are in Japan. The reasons why Japan has this type of role is there is traditionalRead MoreGender And Cultural Norms Within The Countries Of Australia And Japan1631 Words   |  7 Pagessignificantly impacted by gender and the cultural norms within the countries of Australia and Japan. Individuals use communication to express feelings, emotions, opinions and values. Communication is therefore a vitality to human interaction between parents and children, bosses and employees or husband and wife. The differing qualities and attributes of those included in any interaction can in this way influence communication. This can be explored through gender roles and their role in the verbal and nonverbalRead MoreEssay about Gender and Race During the U.S. Occupation of Japan1734 Words   |  7 PagesThe Fifteen-Year War was a time of great turmoil and uncertainty in Japan. Various facets of the country were tested and driven to their limits. 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In both Japan and India, the familyRead MoreGender Inequality: To What Extent Does It Still Exist Today1257 Words   |  6 PagesGender Inequality: To What Extent Does it Still Exist Today? Throughout history, womens roles in society have been different than those of mens. Women’s jobs were generally connected to their traditional roles of caring for the home, raising children, making clothes, and cooking food, while men were the breadwinners in the families. Women had been brought up to become mothers (as well as nurturers) while men were brought up to become entrepreneurs and businessmen. It was not until the 1950s thatRead MoreIntroduction. Women Across The World Struggle To Make Their1454 Words   |  6 Pagesand Zimmerman, MacKinnon, and Smith defend women’s rights and call for an open and organized society that promotes equality for all genders, ethnic, cultural, and religious groups. Additionally, one of the conflict theorists, Dahrendorf, argues historical changes and inequality creates groups of conflict that attribute to women’s suppression within leadership roles in society. Overall, the struggle for equality can be supported by Durkhei m’s social fact that explains the need and importance in understandingRead MoreWomen s Rights And Feminist Movements995 Words   |  4 Pagesand some criticize the period as flawed feminism. The loss of World War II was a catalyst for cultural change within Japan. Occupation and the subsequent influx of American ideals and culture influenced the changes that occurred in Japanese women’s lives. John Dower, a retired MIT professor of Japanese history, reflects on these cultural changes in his work â€Å"Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II†. Throughout his book in chapters such as â€Å"Servicing the Conquerors,† â€Å"Butterflies,† â€Å"Onlys