Session 5 “Nation and Gender”

Table Manners
Dec 30, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Mar 19

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Participants: 4

Overcoming Gender Roles: Fifth Meeting

“Nation and Gender”

Culture and Gender

"Gender shaped by the Japanese Language"

In recent years, Japan has begun using the gender-neutral title after their names “-san” uniformly for boys and girls in educational institutions like elementary schools. This initiative aims not only to enhance awareness of gender equality but also to curb bullying by discouraging the use of nicknames.

Historically, in professional settings, only male subordinates have been addressed with "-kun" instead of "-san." As such educational reforms progress, they seem poised to foster a more egalitarian society free from rigid hierarchical structures.

While the universalization of "-san" as a gender-neutral term is commendable, it also limits the cultural practice of children using nicknames to build closer relationships.

Rather than enforcing rules, society should strive to safeguard both cultural values and individual dignity, ensuring human rights are respected.

"School Bags Reflecting Japan’s Gender Norms"

The process of choosing a school bag, a unique cultural tradition in Japan, offers insights into entrenched gender norms. Previously, school bags were not selected by children but were gifted by grandparents. Today, children are increasingly choosing bags in their favorite colors.

For example, when a boy expresses a desire for a pink school bag, parents are becoming more mindful of not imposing their values to guide his choice. Despite the prevalence of red products such as suitcases and electronics marketed to men, the association of red school bags with girls persists. Overcoming such cultural stereotypes remains a challenge we must address.

Politics and Gender

"The Shape of Support for Parenting"

Since October 2024, childcare costs for children aged 3 to 5 have been waived under revisions to the child allowance system. However, in Tokyo's authorized childcare centers, fees for children under 3 can still reach 80,000 yen per month. While subsidies of up to 42,000 yen are available for some facilities, there are calls for equivalent financial support for parents raising children at home.

If more politicians understood the realities of parenting, the forms of societal support might evolve, expanding options for gender-neutral involvement in childcare.

Although not all male politicians are oblivious to childcare needs, a political landscape dominated by men who grew up in a society where "women protect the home" often struggles to provide effective support. Discussions also questioned what defines a "politician who understands childcare," noting that female politicians are not necessarily representative of all women. Politicians must adopt inclusive perspectives that transcend gender and age to address the struggles of minors and foster a more empathetic society.

"Women’s Representation in Politics and Local Political Transformation"

In the 80 years since women gained suffrage in 1945, the proportion of female legislators in Japan has remained just over 10%. This starkly contrasts with Nordic countries, where women make up over 40% of legislators. Measures like South Korea’s quota system, which mandates a minimum percentage of female representatives, suggest possible strategies for Japan.

Diverse representation in policymaking is essential to prevent policies skewed toward certain demographics.

One notable success story is the 'Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Union, established in 1980. This grassroots movement, led by housewives and volunteers, successfully sent representatives to Japan’s male-dominated political arena. Initiatives such as advocating for pesticide-free vegetables highlight how collective community efforts can influence politics. As societal gender roles evolve, ensuring the sustainability of such initiatives poses a critical challenge.

Driving Behavioral Change

"Reevaluating Masculinity"

In the U.S., campaigns like "Men Can Stop Rape" promote positive male roles by portraying muscular, idealized men as role models. While this approach may effectively address sexual violence, it risks reinforcing narrow notions of masculinity, akin to the problematic use of underweight models in fashion.

Victim-blaming, such as attributing sexual violence to revealing clothing, also remains an issue. To counteract such biases, some initiatives have displayed victims’ outfits to illustrate the lack of correlation between clothing and sexual violence.

U.S. universities have emphasized educating “bystanders” who can intervene to prevent harassment, illustrating the importance of collective action in combating sexual violence.

"War and Protest"

In wartime, sexual violence is often used not merely to fulfill personal desires but as a strategy to subjugate enemies. Patriarchal cultures frame women as possessions, and sexual violence is wielded to undermine morale. Such acts can even foster male camaraderie, highlighting the harmful dynamics of homosocial behavior.

War propagates prescribed gender roles to sustain its objectives. To resist these imposed narratives, fostering a culture that encourages public protest is vital. Protest movements, such as Iceland’s "Women’s Day Off," demonstrate how collective action can catalyze societal change. By teaching even children about organizing movements for causes like restoring playgrounds, Japan could cultivate a citizenry capable of transformative action.

Identified Challenges

Respecting Culture and Individuals:
Balancing the preservation of cultural traditions with the protection of individual dignity is a complex yet essential task.
Ensuring Political Diversity:
Building a political structure that reflects diverse perspectives remains a pressing need in Japan’s governance.
Promoting Behavioral Change:
From eradicating victim-blaming to expanding "bystander" education, fostering systemic change requires concerted effort.

Through this discussion, we explored both everyday issues and broader topics like state policies and war. We reflected on how to create a society that embraces both cultural and individual diversity while avoiding the creation of new gender stereotypes. This reading group will continue to deliberate these themes moving forward.

Summary: Danshiro

References

"Grasping Gender Studies"Written by Yuki Senda, Yuko Nakanishi, and Kaoru Aoyama

Chapter 5: Everyday Life and Gender
Chapter 6: Nation and Gender

This introductory book offers foundational insights into gender studies, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding gender dynamics. Written in an accessible tone, it is an ideal starting point for readers.