Term Paper on "Japanese Fathers Masculinity and Power"

Term Paper 5 pages (1443 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Japanese Men, Masculinity and Family

Japanese Men, Masculinity and Fatherhood

The traditional role of men in Japanese society and in the Japanese family is one of the aloof bread-winner. This role comes directly from the Japanese cultural history, rooted in Confucianism. The expectation under these social roles dictates that men work and remain distant from their families while maintaining a masculine authority over the household. Since the 1970s, these traditional roles have been threatened by social changes including modernity, technological advances, and the feminist movement in Japan. Women have sought work outside the home, often postponing marriage or expecting different male-female relationship roles. At the same time, Japanese society continues to expect the same masculine traits from Japanese men. Confusing gender roles, unfocused masculinity, and marital problems are the result. Through this, men in Japanese society continue to fulfill their role as aloof, masculine family power, but with results that are not as successful as they once were.

As an island nation, Japan developed while separated from other cultures. Ideals and social functions became ingrained over hundreds of years of habit and practice (Sugihara & Katsurada 2002). Some roles are familiar to other nations and culture. Like most nations, the role of mother dictated that women were responsible for much of the child and home care. However, Confucianism also had a great role to play in Japanese family structure as far as hierarchy and power. Confucianism has had a great effect on the development of male stereotypes, roles, and expectations in Japan. It dictates a hierarchy, "which assumes subordinates' obedience to superiors and men's dominance over women and children" (Sugihara & Katsurada, 2002 p. 443). Naturally, social expectations set in motion long ago are now deeply ingrained in Japanese society and the expectations of Japanese people. Confucianism has set the traditional stage for family life in Japan.

In the traditional Japanese family, men are "expected to be leaders, risk-takers, and decision makers" (Sugihara & Katsurada 2000, p. 311). They provide for the family by going to work and often work long hours. As a result, they have limited contact with their wives and children. This allows for the traditional Japanese husband and father to hold a significant amount of control over his family, mainly through expectation and respect (Seto, Bekerm & Akutsu 2006). Children do not develop intimate relationships with their father and so do not act normally when he is home, instead acting necessarily respectful. Fathers begin to invoke a sense of awe and respect in their children, as well as their wives (Roberson 2003).

The Japanese household and family unit has changed in the past few decades. Much of the change in the Japanese household in the past thirty years in not due as much to change in Japan's men, but rather is the result of women changing. The feminist movement of the 1970s affected Japan's women in a significant way. Women no longer portray the traditional "ideal" of a quiet, subservient wife and mother, decorated and pigeon-toed to demonstrate chastity (Suzuki 2007). In fact, it is no longer uncommon for women in Japan to have premarital sex, smoke, and choose not to marry. Many of these choices would not have been considered an option for women in Japanese society in the past (Suzuki 2007). The number of women in the workforce in Japan has risen steadily for decades, and many women have expressed a desire to delay marriage in pursuit or a career or financial independence (Sugihara & Katsurada 2002). The Japanese family has changed as a result.

Men are still expected to have the masculine traits that have long been related with Japanese fathers and husbands. The power that Japanese men have is ingrained in the culture, whether individuals are aware of it or not. A 2002 study of Japanese men and women found that both sexes rated certain qualities as more desirable in men and some as more desirable in women. The items considered desirable in men included having leadership abilities, having guts, being persuasive, and being relied on by others. Conversely, female desirable traits included affectionate, charming, polite, and attentive to the needs of others (Sugihara & Katsurada 2002).

While men are still trying to fit into their role as aloof, respected father figure, they are no longer able to demand the authority and respect… READ MORE

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