Updated: May 19
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Participants: 4
Breaking Free from Gender Roles Study Group – 8th Session
”Gender Representation from the Perspective of Women’s History”
In the 8th session of our gender roles study group, we read and exchanged opinions on Chapter 2, “Women’s History Changes the Study of History—Women’s History,” from "An Introduction to Western Gender History: From Family History to Global History" by Naoko Yuge.
Through reflecting on “women’s history” in this session, we came to understand that historical narratives have been significantly shaped by male perceptions of women. This led us to contemplate how ideas of “femininity” and “masculinity” are formed from a male perspective.
Table of Contents
- The Overlooked Voices of Women
- Gender History and the Influence of Religion
- Revisiting Historical Narratives
- How Products Reflect Women’s Roles
- Women’s Positions in the Workplace
- The Impact of Transfer Systems
The Burden of the “Ideal Woman”
- Gender Roles and Symbolic Images
- Women’s Promotion and Decision-Making Power
Pregnancy: Decision or Submission?
- Delivery Tables and Maternal Comfort
- Issues of Consent in C-Sections
- Decision-Making and Societal Expectations
Women in History
How should we address the issue of women’s voices and experiences being overlooked in history and the fact that historical narratives have been shaped using male-centric language?
The Overlooked Voices of Women
The history we know has been predominantly edited and recorded by men. As a result, representations of women in historical records are scarce, and even when they exist, they are often filtered through a male perspective. This historical bias has influenced the self-image that women hold of themselves. One participant shared, “From historical representations of women, I feel like I’ve been conditioned to believe ‘this is what a good woman should be.’” The discussion also raised the question of how we can uncover voices that have been buried in history, regardless of gender.
Gender History and the Influence of Religion
As we explored European gender history, we saw how Christianity has influenced daily life. For example, diaries written by the wives of 17th-century pastors serve as valuable records that reveal the overlooked experiences and lives of women. During the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution, rationality and intellect were highly valued, but this era also reinforced the belief that “men are rational beings, while women are instinct-driven.” A biblical interpretation was also discussed: while Eve’s act of covering herself with a fig leaf was used to justify the idea that “women must remain chaste,” the fact that Adam also covered himself did not lead to the same interpretation for men.
Revisiting Historical Narratives
Japanese history textbooks have evolved alongside the development of women’s history. For instance, the phrase “universal suffrage” used to refer exclusively to men’s voting rights. Today, textbooks explicitly clarify this by using the term “male suffrage.” Revising such terminology is a crucial step in addressing the unconscious tendency to default to a male perspective when using words like “universal” or “ordinary.”
Women’s Working Environment
When discussing women’s history, everyday products serve as essential resources that provide insights into women’s labor and societal roles.
How Products Reflect Women’s Roles
For example, there was once a piano with a built-in sewing kit, symbolizing how women were expected to maintain the household and engage in sewing work. Similarly, sewing machines are also objects for exploring women’s history. They are not just tools but also reflect women’s labor, domestic roles, and the development of capitalism. Some books delving into these perspectives were introduced during the session.
Women’s Positions in the Workplace
The discussion also covered women’s roles in the workplace. Historically, women have often been assigned operational tasks. While wars created labor shortages and pushed women into the workforce, leadership roles remained predominantly male. Even when women took on leadership positions, they often served as managers overseeing other female workers rather than having authority over a broader workforce.
The Impact of Job Transfers
The issue of job transfers was also discussed. When a husband is transferred to a new location, his wife and children often bear the brunt of the disruption. While the husband gains a new work community, the wife and children may struggle with isolation in the new environment. Why is it assumed that the wife must adjust to the husband’s transfer? This practice unintentionally reinforces the housewife role and hinders women’s career progression.
The Burden of the “Ideal Woman”
If gendered imagery becomes more balanced, the way decisions are made in both society and the household may also shift.
Gender Roles and Symbolic Images
Historically, women have been expected to submit to men, and the notion of the “ideal woman” has been shaped by male perspectives. The metaphor “the oak tree represents men, while the ivy represents women” illustrates how society has traditionally viewed women as dependent on men for support. However, some participants argued that as gender relationships become more equal, such values and images may also dissolve.
To illustrate gender roles, one participant suggested the analogy that “men carry Ultraman, while women carry Cinderella” as their symbolic burden. The discussion explored how deeply ingrained gendered symbols shape our behaviors and how challenging it is to build relationships free from these constraints. The group also debated Kant’s statement, “Women are beautiful beings.” Some participants pointed out that this phrase implies that “men are not beautiful,” reinforcing a gendered expectation of aesthetics.
Women’s Promotion and Decision-Making Power
The discussion also touched on the difficulty of women advancing in their careers. One participant noted that some women aspire to leadership positions but feel unable to directly express their ambitions, instead maneuvering within their environments to gain promotions indirectly. This strategy was seen as a way for women to navigate a society where decision-making power is still largely male-dominated. In contrast, it was suggested that men, following the notion that “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” are often willing to take the risk of standing out to achieve their goals.
Concerns were raised that these discussions around gendered promotion strategies could reinforce stereotypes and biases, making this a complex issue to address. However, some participants sense that in the household, women often hold decision-making power, leading to discussions about whether these dynamics are shifting as gender equality progresses.
Pregnant Women’s Decisions and Obedience
Discussions regarding decision-making authority in childbirth and medical settings must consider a balance between respecting individual will and comfort—regardless of gender—and ensuring medical convenience with ethical considerations.
"Delivery Tables and Maternal Comfort"
It has been pointed out that the design of delivery tables prioritizes ease of observation for doctors rather than the comfort of pregnant women. Historically, when women gave birth naturally or with the assistance of midwives, delivery chairs (chair-shaped delivery tables) were used, allowing for a more natural birthing position. In modern times, debates have emerged over whether medical convenience or the dignity of pregnant women should take precedence.
"Cesarean Sections and the Issue of Informed Consent"
Additionally, in cases where emergency cesarean sections are performed, there are instances where sufficient consent from the pregnant woman cannot be obtained. Even if prior agreement to an emergency cesarean section was given, facing the situation in reality can increase the risk of postpartum depression. Discussions also touched on cases where medical interns attended births without the consent of the mother, raising concerns that the “education for saving lives” is being prioritized over women's bodily autonomy.
On the other hand, some male participants shared similar experiences where medical education was prioritized over their rights in medical settings, prompting a discussion on whether this is a shared issue beyond gender differences.
Further discussion arose regarding decision-making authority in medical settings. While doctors who explain the effects of medication and provide patients with choices were praised, some participants questioned whether individuals could truly make decisions even when given authority—such as in cases of life-prolonging treatment, where making a personal judgment might be extremely difficult.
"Decision-Making and Social Expectations"
The discussion also addressed social expectations regarding decision-making. "Decisiveness" is often cited as a symbol of "masculinity," possibly due to the historical social structure where men held decision-making power. This led to reflections on how to create a society where people of all genders can make autonomous decisions.
For example, one participant shared an experience of being criticized for taking too long to choose a menu item at a restaurant, linking indecisiveness to masculinity. Conversely, the commonly used phrase at Japanese restaurants “I'll just have a beer” was mentioned as a potential cultural behavior rooted in male-dominated environments. However, it was also noted that this phrase might simply reflect a practical approach to prioritizing efficiency, regardless of gender.
Conclusion
By reflecting on women’s history, this session highlighted:
Women’s Work:
From household labor to wartime employment, leadership roles remained male-dominated. Products like pianos with sewing kits reinforced domestic expectations.
Gendered Imagery:
Women have historically been framed as submissive, and career advancement strategies differ between genders.
Decision-Making and Submission:
Societal expectations link decisiveness with masculinity, underscoring the need to cultivate autonomy across genders.
One key takeaway was the difficulty men face when imagining women’s experiences without falling into stereotypes. How can we appropriately acknowledge gender differences while avoiding oversimplification? The challenge remains.
Recorded by: Danshiro
References
“An Introduction to Western Gender History: From Family History to Global History”
by Naoko Yuge
Chapter 2: “Women’s History Changes the Study of History—Women’s History”