In an editorial titled, “Another tradition fading,” The Japan Times reports on a recent Cabinet office survey that reveals that more than 50 percent of Japanese men think women should not stay at home and function solely as housewives.
In 1979, the percentage supporting women’s traditional house-bound role was 72 percent, and only 20 percent disagreed with that. In 1992, the ratio had increased slightly to 30 percent against house-bound wives. If this trend continues, in the next 10 years or so, the numbers reflecting new attitudes are likely to climb even further. Of course, that depends on the economy, which is one of the prime reasons for this change in long-held beliefs.
After the “bubble” years, it became a necessity for many families to have two incomes to cover the bills. With ongoing change in family structures, especially the higher divorce rate, having a wife stay at home without working became an expensive luxury.
Still, Japanese women put their family before their career (men put their careers first), and women prepare meals 85 percent of the time.
I wish I had a wife.
I would love to know more about what is behind this poll such as the ages, professions, and location of the people who answered the questions and the polling method. Also, saying they ‘oppose having wives who only stay home’ as housewives doesn’t mean they want them to have careers. Many men want their wives to work “part-time”. Sometimes this is at a dead-end office job which requires little or no overtime or teaching private students how to play the piano. The wording of the questions is pretty important in interpreting the responses.
I have yet to speak with a Japanese male about this topic and not have him say he prefers his wife mainly remain at home, particularly after they have children.
Heather, don’t you mean husband? Or do you mean house-husband? Or are you gay?
Oh no, Raj, I already have a husband. I just want someone to stay home, clean the house, make my dinner, and sit there quietly looking pretty.