Women's rights in China and Japan - Research Paper Example

Womens rights in China and Japan Existence of gender inequality in the society led to the growth of feministic movements advocating for women rights since men had more rights as compared to their women counterparts. These inequalities are more evident today in economic, political, social and decision-making. According to Andersen and Taylor (268), feminist movements advocate for a just society in which women views are given some consideration. In trying to describe this, they uses socialist feminism and radical feminism where they explains that socialists highlights that the origin of system of capitalism is the origin of women oppression. This is shown in that women are seen as a source of cheap labor. Radical feminists argue that the existence of a patriarchy system when men have more power than women is the cause of women oppression. The form of violence that women undergo in most countries includes rape, harassment sexually, domestic violence and sexual abuse. Radical feminists argues that for change to occur, the existing systems in the society where men have more power than women should be done away with because dominance and control lies in the hands of men. The situation of women rights differs significantly from one country to the other. This paper, therefore, tries to explore the women rights in both China and Japan. It also covers the comparison that can be drawn from the two. Chinese women have been deprived their rights in politics, economy, social and familial life through the existing patriarchal feature of Chinese society. Women do not enjoy inheritance of property and possession rights hence they do not have an independent source of income. These inheritance and succession are passed through the male line which makes it impossible for them to enjoy freedom in marriage and have to follow everything dictated to them (Thernstorm 5). The system of polygamy and prostitution subjected to them cause physical and mental torture because they are forced to abide without questioning. According to a research done by Horizon Research and a survey by Ifeng, Com survey in 2012, shows that men own 80% of marital homes (Fichner 1). This indicates a great disparity between property ownership among men and women and many disparities. Most of the married have few or no right or power over the material owned by their families because they are named after their husbands. Education of a woman in china does not matter. When a woman reaches the age of marriage, she has to follow the laid done rules and laws that come with the head of the family. These rules are subject to women battering, and they feel alienated. Both men and women tend to work long hours in paying employment, and an encouragement is given to women to remain in the labor force even after having given birth. Studies have shown battered women in China are more likely to remain in those abusive relationships because of existence of insecure property rights. Despite the lobbying by feminist non-governmental organizations, the governments have tried to enact legislation targeted to deal with domestic violence. However, China lags behind from other developing countries with serious problems of violence concerning women (Fichner 6-8). For example, is in India and Bangladesh where anti-domestic law on violence was passed on 2010. A report from official statistics shows that for every four Chinese women, one has experienced domestic violence. Lack of a current law on domestic violence in China makes it difficult for judges to handle these cases and eventually dismiss them and name them as a’ family conflict’. The communist party establishing women’s federation has also taken a lead in a campaign to force professional women who are now urbanized in their late twenties to refrain from their ambitions and get married (Fichner 1). In Chinese city, the involvement of gender norms shows that women are now able to own property in their names. Even parents are now supporting their daughters to own something, become business women, they become rich and powerful as stipulated in the gender equality values. Rates of suicide in China are high among women as compared to men and especially among those living in rural areas (Jie and Kanji 12). For example, a national survey on suicide by Beijing suicide research shows 25% higher than of male counterparts. The present rights of women predisposes them to sexually transmitted diseases as they are not given time to make decisions. Gender stereotypes encourage them to be positive and innocent in topics regarding sex, and the existing imbalance makes it impossible to negotiate for safer sex (Jie and Kanji 13). Japan lags behind from other industrialized countries because it does not invest in educating and providing employment opportunities to women. This separation deprives the country the ability to enjoy a pool of human capital, which could be of great benefit to the country. During the 19th century, Japanese leaders imported western ideas and systems but chose to reflect the example of what women can do as shown in England’s Queen Victoria (Thernstorm 7). It demonstrates a very big gap in investment in human capital and the level of achievement of women in the society (Thernstorm 7). Japanese women remain marginalized because they are being back by traditions, and they cling more to culture. Those privileged to be always working quit their jobs once they are married and get pregnant. A survey data shows that 45.2% of Japanese agree to be homemakers as it seems fulfilling just as working for a pay as compared to respondents from industrialized countries. The historical consciousness of Japanese is deeply rooted in their tradition of female emperors where she is referred to as the sun that is to mean genuine. Now is seen as the moon that is she relies on others, and all what have been set (Thernstorm 23). Overreliance on the traditional family values and point of view of women in Japan led Gordon to write articles in the constitution this incorporated equal rights for both men and women. She also drafted another law that gives no room to discrimination in social, economic and political relations. These two incorporated western women that are civilized. Public attitudes concerning gender roles have changed in recent year’s especially on ideal life style and believes (Andersen and Taylor 268-272). Few disapprove employment of a woman who has already given birth and asserts that decision-making should be inclusive of even women in the households. In both countries, there is a belief that men and women have different competence and meaning. This forms the building block on the position, expectations, education, and the kind of function one can undertake, legal rights and status. This favors the men side where they are seen to be the head of the family. Both Japan and china practice Buddhism, which gives women areas to be empowered. A comparison can be drawn from japans rebellion writers to china where a struggle of young people against traditional society. The expansion of trade saw women working in the textile industries in both Japan and china where two-thirds of the work force is made up of women. In modern era, military participation has seen women involvement during wars in both countries as they struggle to deal with invaders. The societal admiration of women as heroines have shown that can do the work that there before was shown to belong to men alone and do it even better. In both cases, there is evidence of sexual harassment of women by the male counterparts, ownership of property by men is evident and a case where inheritance follows a lineage of men blocking out women. Actions to eradicate gender inequality are evident but being held back by existing traditions (Jie and Kanji 15; Gordon 7-11). In conclusion, human rights in both Japan and china seem to be challenged as compared to those of men. The over reliance on issues concerning women have made issues of men to be forgotten and leaving a need of more to be done on that part. A woman having good education and well paying jobs does not takeaway their subservient nature. This means that domestic violence and wife battering still exists. This means that the voice of women is not enhanced in decision-making and freedom. The value of a woman in the society has not appreciated because of effort made. She is supposed to incorporate her domestic chores, the needs of her job and balance between the two meanings that her work load increase despite her civilization. In my opinion, domestic chores should be shared between the spouses to enhance efficiency of both in their work place and ease tension bringing gender equality, which seem far from coming to light. Resistance to change and overreliance on traditions and culture is the main cause of gender inequality and the differences on rights between men and women. Policies should also be formulated including people from both genders eliminating any discrimination. Hence, there should be effort of ensuring that women rights are advanced and respected in the two countries. moreover, government need to be seen in the forefront in advancing women rights. Works Cited Andersen, Margaret L, and Howard F. Taylor. “Sociology: The Essentials.” Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2009. Print. Fichner, Hong Leta. “Women’s Rights at Risk.” Dissentmagazine.org. Web 07 December 2013. Gordon, Sirota. “Gave Japanese Equal Rights.” Thirteen.org. Web 07 December 2013. Jie, Du and Kanji, Nazneen. “Gender equality and poverty reduction in china: issues for Development policy and practice.” Nationalarchives.gov. Web 07 December 2013. Thernstorn, McCreedy. “Japanese women; lineage and legacies.” Woodrow Wilson international center for scholars (oct.2005) pp.1-89. Wilsoncenter.org. Web 07 December 2013. Read More