The evolution of the societal Japanese household depicted patriarchy in the past, and yet small amounts of it continues to linger among the common household today. Gender roles in Japanese society have been altered for the betterment of equality more so for the women of the culture. Feminism is a major social factor in today’s world standing up for injustice recognized as a crucial issue of the past and sometimes, present.
Often gender roles are a topic generally bypassed in many societies as we are indeed indirectly socialized as both men and women, boys and girls. We are taught to dress and act a certain way. Always told to “be a man” is a phrase used to hold emphasis on boys being strong or tough and showing emotion as a sign of weakness. Or being told that “That’s not ladylike” also another phrase used to portray women in a proper manner and expected to act with a particular etiquette among people. Japanese society has many expectations which we are obliged to live up to. Culture acts as a silver lining for gender roles more so than physical appearance.
However, no doubt are females restrained from performing particular actions simply because of the level of physical demand that can most often only be met by men.
At a time when Confucian ideas and morals came into play, loyalty and courage integrated both sexes to work as equals. Expectations among each gender remained, as men were to display loyalty to their superiors as women were to display loyalty to their family and their male counterparts.
A marvelous change brought about by this entrance of new ideas was the beginning of women inheriting property. The inheritance occurred most often in feudal Japan. World War Two was cruel to women, portraying them as property and bodies as objects. They were seen as the producer of life to their husbands and is all. Housewives, mothers, caregivers is all they were. Females, people gone wasted, beautiful minds gone unused.
Women never truly reached their full potential, for they were stifled, in the presence of their male superior spouse and stereotypes. While their husbands had gone off to fight in the war, left at home they were with the children and chores as all this was all they were raised to do. Career options and education were limited and a privilege, let alone unheard of for a girl or woman.
“I will no longer be bullied by you and your demands! I am finished remaining out of interference with you! For goodness sake, I am your wife! Not your decoration. All I seem to be of importance to is my children, as I am a housewife, mother, and frankly a nurse always caring after your ailing mother! Never do I have a say in my opinion and what I think, with the exception of my children’s presence or what I cook and how I clean. You value me as nothing but a caregiver, a provider of children and security for you,” said by no woman.
This statement is one that every women of Japanese society, past or present should recite. All components of this statement rightfully illustrate the living conditions of these women who lived in a patriarchal society. Many antiquated ways of living remain in households today. Patriarchy remains dominant, and women are subservient to their formidable husbands.
While this may be true in small parts of the world, today, Japanese women are given the opportunity to reach their highest potential in whatever they choose to accomplish. No goals are ever too high, no standards will ever go unmet. Women have come such a long way to be where they are today. Their stance is society today is greater and more important than ever.
The achievements and creativity brought about in our world can be thanked by none other than the empowering women, Japanese women who endured struggles and faced battles, the movements, the activists, the suffrage acts, all of it was done for the betterment of society. Japanese social structure has been significantly altered in the evolution of roles of women and their portrayal in traditional and modern societies. What would be acceptable and “the way of life” in the past, is intolerable and unacceptable according to todays standards.
The devotion both the wife and husband hold for one another in a marriage is a sign of equality and growth in generic marriage development through the years. As Japanese society, traditional patriarchy, and limited educational rights for women have changed, these remain in several regions of the world, including Japan. Feminist movements are currently in full action to finally grant these women the independent human rights they deserve, not only as a woman, but as a human.
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