The men of Japan have several roles that they must fulfill according to the cultural gender roles. Men are to work outside of the house, essentially being the primary breadwinners. The men are also to be well rounded individuals who have knowledge and interest in art, literature, politics, and much more. The traditional role of women in this society includes them being the masters of the home. The Japanese word Shufu, used in terms of women or stay at home wives and mothers, has the literal meaning of “masters” and “women” ( Kanagy). Women are to raise children, run the household, set budgets and control the finances.
These roles are the traditional roles developed from Confucian ways of thought in Feudal Japan. Roles that still have a grasp on the modern day roles we may seen in Japan today (Kincaid). However in today’s society many of these roles are beginning to feel the strain of change and the influence of westernized society. In recent years the Japanese work force, as well as their fertility has seen impacts as these roles are rebelled against. In the workplace we see many more women wanting to climb the corporate ladder and spending more time in the office, instead of spending time creating a family (Beauchamp). This is something that is not only affecting the population of Japan, but their economy as well. And although there may be this divide in the Japanese culture and gender roles at the moment, they are one united culture with very few ethnic groups in the country except from their own. This comes from their island status and isolation.
It is clear to see that the Japanese culture is influenced greatly by its past, but western culture is quickly sinking its grasp into them. While I do not believe that the Japanese should maintain the old roles that many still cling too, I also do not think that they should fall so easily into the grasp of western culture. Although this is my own culture, even I can see that the clashing of cultures can have unwanted effects on the men and women of a culture and even affect their future. My question for them would then be if you can see the damage it may cause and feel confident and attached to your own views why let the pressure to change get to you?
Every culture is different. This is something that I feel we all need to understand and accept. There will always be something different from you that you can not change. Accepting and embracing your own culture is important, but also understanding what needs to change is just as important, and I feel that Japan is very close to this understanding and will find a balance that suits them.
References
Kanagy, R. (2013, August 4). Gender Roles in Japan. Retrieved February 27, 2015, from http://moon.com/2013/08/gender-roles-in-japan/
Beauchamp, Z. (2013, October 21). Are Traditional Gender Roles Destroying Japan? Retrieved February 27, 2015, from http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/21/2810191/japan-traditional-gender-roles/
Ingrained ideas on gender roles | The Japan Times. (2014, July 19). Retrieved February 27, 2015, from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/07/19/editorials/ingrained-ideas-gender-roles/#.VO97B7PF8rM
Kincaid, C. (2013, July 7). A Look at Gender Expectations in Japanese Society. Retrieved February 27, 2015, from http://www.japanpowered.com/japan-culture/a-look-at-gender-expectations-in-japanese-society
Kumar, V. (2011, June 26). Japanese Views on Gender Roles. Retrieved February 27, 2015, from http://vkumar.expertscolumn.com/article/japanese-views-gender-roles