Do Married Japanese Women Work?

[Shibuya Me]

I wonder. Do married Japanese women work? I know of a few women who refuse to work after they have tied the knot. No matter what the situation is at home...even if the husband is making next to nothing. In this day and age in Japan...do married women feel / think that they should not have to work after gettting married...?

[Jack]

Yes, many of them still work but there is tremendous pressure on them from their co-workers or boss to quit after getting married.

[AssKissinger]

We don't have much money but I still tell my wife she doesn't have to work if she doesn't want to. I figure why should we both be subjugated to this hell called employment. She has two jobs now but she tends to take time off for months at a time even though we don't have kids. I feel like I need three months or so off myself but we can't afford it. Maybe I could save up a bit and spend some time in Africa.

[maraboutslim]

Of course some women work. It really depends on the field though. If they were something like an OL or a flight attendant they won't be able to work past a certain age or past marriage anyway. But if they are nurses of course they can work until their 60s. And if they are a teacher like my mother in law and become a school headmaster/mistress or whatever (kocho sensei) then they can work until they retire in their 60s and then still be begged to stay on.

However, if women stop working, even if they are a teacher, in like their late 20s and try to go back in their late 30s, they will find it very hard to get a job. Gotta keep at it.

-Slim

[Andocrates]

I know several women who went back to work to pay for their kids private school, so it can be done. Also, Tokyo is like another country from the rest of Japan. Women are much more likely to work in Tokyo then other areas of Japan. But I never let my wife work when the kids were small, it was important to us both that the kids have a stay at home mom.

[Shibuya Me]

I see...

Well. Then it looks like if you are a foreigner...then youre Japanese wife can not work in Japan so easy?

If she is over say....34 years old....how difficult is it to find a job for women?

Why do they get pressured to stop working from other co workers?

In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work. They are professionals in their respective fields. In Japan....women are not trying to be a pro at something?

Are all you guys English teachers? Do you make a lot of money teaching?

How many of you foreigners are ready to just say...this is enough?

Why live this kind of a life when you can take your women back to America or Canada, or where ever you are from and have a better life?

Can you not make better money in your own country?

I am wondering. As a lot of readers are....

[Taro Toporific]

:
Why live this kind of a life when you can take your women back to America or Canada, or where ever you are from and have a better life?

Can you not make better money in your own country?

I am wondering. As a lot of readers are....

Well following your "Same boat" logic, I must be slacking just like a J-housewife. Mega-kool.
However, for more on most of our varied jobs, see the thread, What do you guys do in Japan?

[AssKissinger]

In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work.

Are you kidding me? Work sucks. They work because they think they need the money.

[Big Booger]

In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work. They are professionals in their respective fields. In Japan....women are not trying to be a pro at something?

Dude,
Women in America work because they have to. Japanese women usually let daddy foot the bill, if they don't work.

I don't know what families you have come in contact with in Japan, but most J-wives I have met, either work a part-time job, or are housewives where they slave away cooking and cleaning, taking care of the kids, and doing the yard work, garden, etc..
But then I live in the boondocks so my experience will be far different from that of Tokyo-ites.

[Jack]

:?
In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work. They are professionals in their respective fields. In Japan....women are not trying to be a pro at something?

Why live this kind of a life when you can take your women back to America or Canada, or where ever you are from and have a better life?

First of all, American, Canadian or European women all think they are trying to prove something. Something like we made it in a men's world. Big fucking deal. There is none of that in Japan which is why many foreign guys fall for Japanese chicks, not to say that the average Japanese chick is infinitely prettier than a comparable white chick.

I guarantee you that you will not have a better life than in Japan in your home country. Foreign guys in Japan have a great life. Now I am saying this without having lived there myself, so please hugely discount what I say if you will.

[GomiGirl]

First of all, American, Canadian or European women all think they are trying to prove something. Something like we made it in a men's world. Big fucking deal. There is none of that in Japan which is why many foreign guys fall for Japanese chicks, not to say that the average Japanese chick is infinitely prettier than a comparable white chick.

I think I am about to go out and slit my wrists.. is there no redeeming features for my having the bad fortune to being born the way I am???

[cliffy]

None at all GG. So Pay for my flight out, put me up in the flat you bought( re. Posted long time ago), give me spending money from the Company you run/own and I will ignore the fact you are A young white female not a little Japanese ego pleaser.......................................

Ahhh the joys of fantasy, Pass the Manga..... translated version please

[Taro Toporific]

First of all, American, Canadian or European women all think they are trying to prove something....

I think I am about to go out and slit my wrists.. is there no redeeming features for my having the bad fortune to being born the way I am???

Oh have my baby!! You make me puke my coffee all over my screen.

[Caustic Saint]

:?
In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work. They are professionals in their respective fields. In Japan....women are not trying to be a pro at something?

First of all, American, Canadian or European women all think they are trying to prove something. Something like we made it in a men's world. Big fucking deal.

I'll agree with your point on the "typical" woman's attitude in corporate America to a certain extent. The "women's movement" in America has never been about equal rights - it's about more rights. (If women wanted true equality, why don't they want to register with selective service?)

Even now, in 2003, you still have women going to college in search of their MRS degree. Let's face it (and this may sound a tad harsh), the women who succeed in corporate America are the less attractive ones who couldn't get a guy to pay the bills. Take a look at the list the next time Forbes, Fortune or Money for Women does a "Top 10 Female Executives" story. Not a looker in the bunch.

[GomiGirl]

:?
In America ( and I realize we are in Japan...) women always work and they want to work. They are professionals in their respective fields. In Japan....women are not trying to be a pro at something?

First of all, American, Canadian or European women all think they are trying to prove something. Something like we made it in a men's world. Big fucking deal.

I'll agree with your point on the "typical" woman's attitude in corporate America to a certain extent. The "women's movement" in America has never been about equal rights - it's about more rights. (If women wanted true equality, why don't they want to register with selective service?)

Even now, in 2003, you still have women going to college in search of their MRS degree. Let's face it (and this may sound a tad harsh), the women who succeed in corporate America are the less attractive ones who couldn't get a guy to pay the bills. Take a look at the list the next time Forbes, Fortune or Money for Women does a "Top 10 Female Executives" story. Not a looker in the bunch.

Double ouch!!

Hey I am just trying to do the best I can and not have my contribution to the world measured by what sort of guy I can catch to pay for me or what I look like in a bikini..

What yardstick do you want to be measured by?

[Jack]

GomiGirl,

From your name I can tell you are a modest woman. I really like that. My problem with white chicks has always been this feminist thing. Or their ambition to try to prove that they are as good as men or something like that. You never see guys trying to pretend they are as good as women. Women are better than men at certain things, and guys accept that. Guys are better than women at certain things but women refuse to believe it. It's that attitude that gets under my skin and I never saw that in Asian women, particularly Japanese.

[GomiGirl]

Hey I am not trying to prove anything to anyone.. I am a firm believer in matching an individual's talent to their role - work and home.

I am not good at house work or the traditional female role of wife and mother so I don't do it.. but I get critcised for working and doing what I do best..

I respect that some people are better at some things than others so I don't fit into your stereotype of a working white chick!! I am no hostile ball breaker either...

Please don't tar all working white chicks with the same "feminist" brush.. In this post-feminist era ball-breaker are causing more problems than they are solving and I don't like them either...

[AssKissinger]

what I look like in a bikini..

That's what I wanna know GG.

[Caustic Saint]

I'll agree with your point on the "typical" woman's attitude in corporate America to a certain extent. The "women's movement" in America has never been about equal rights - it's about more rights. (If women wanted true equality, why don't they want to register with selective service?)

Even now, in 2003, you still have women going to college in search of their MRS degree. Let's face it (and this may sound a tad harsh), the women who succeed in corporate America are the less attractive ones who couldn't get a guy to pay the bills. Take a look at the list the next time Forbes, Fortune or Money for Women does a "Top 10 Female Executives" story. Not a looker in the bunch.

Double ouch!!

Hey I am just trying to do the best I can and not have my contribution to the world measured by what sort of guy I can catch to pay for me or what I look like in a bikini..

What yardstick do you want to be measured by?

I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't saying the only place for a woman was in the home. Nor was I implying that all working women are ugly. I was mostly making a few comments on the mindset of the typical modern American woman. I think women who work and are dedicated to their careers rock. I'd never be involved with any woman who's "dream" was to be a stay-at-home-mom. I can't imagine anything duller.

Personally, I'd love to see a world where people are judged solely on their accomplishments and contributions - and not by gender, race or any other characteristic.

Please don't tar all working white chicks with the same "feminist" brush.. In this post-feminist era ball-breaker are causing more problems than they are solving and I don't like them either...

Amen! Modern feminism is a bubbling crock of shit. I'd love to see totally equal rights. If these women had the same rights and responsibilities as men, they'd be singing an entirely different tune.

[GomiGirl]

I'll agree with your point on the "typical" woman's attitude in corporate America to a certain extent. The "women's movement" in America has never been about equal rights - it's about more rights.

This is not the typical woman.. it is the typical ultra-hard-line feminist.

Most chicks I know just want to be valued by their efforts and not be boxed in and limited by other people's expectations of them.

It is hard for some people when the people around them won't conform to an ideal and so they are criticized rather than appreciated..

I will never conform to Jack's ideal woman - and I won't lose sleep over it.. however, in my own circle, I am fortunate that people value me for who I am and the choices I make.

[Caustic Saint]

Most chicks I know just want to be valued by their efforts and not be boxed in and limited by other people's expectations of them.

That's perfectly reasonable.

It is hard for some people when the people around them won't conform to an ideal and so they are criticized rather than appreciated..

I will never conform to Jack's ideal woman - and I won't lose sleep over it.. however, in my own circle, I am fortunate that people value me for who I am and the choices I make.

Heck, you shouldn't conform to anybody's idea of what you should be - except your own. (But what are you doing in front of the computer on a Friday night? )

I don't think I even have an "ideal" woman. I like chicks who are fun, interesting, have their own ideas and are cool to hang out with. Aside from that, I'm pretty easy to please.

[GomiGirl]

But what are you doing in front of the computer on a Friday night?

Beta Testing some shitty code that an engineer forgot to test before sending to the client.. I have had to deal with their lectures all night....

[Caustic Saint]

But what are you doing in front of the computer on a Friday night?

Beta Testing some shitty code that an engineer forgot to test before sending to the client.. I have had to deal with their lectures all night....

ouchu!

[cstaylor]

Beta Testing some shitty code that an engineer forgot to test before sending to the client.. I have had to deal with their lectures all night....

Shame! This is why you need automatic builds with unit testing. Check out JUnit

[Shibuya Me]

Firstly, I am American. And I know that most of the married American women I know are hot and work. They have a profession. They work at something they believe in. Doctors, Lawyers, Art Gallery Owners, etc...

So I dont understand what you are saying about American women only work because they have to. Or due to the womens movement.

From what I know of them, ( to include my sister ) they work and own businesses because that is their passion in life.

I love a women ( white, black, green, blue, etc...) who has a goal in life.

To be a house wife is a goal?

To clean up after a guy is a goal?

To be a slave to the hubby is a goal?

Count me out. I want a women who wants to be something.

Somone who wants to add value to not only womenhood, but to do something to improve the world. To help people.

No. I respectfully must say...the women I know in America are trying to reach a goal. A purpose in life.

Women must be seen as more than a person you marry who will clean
up after you.

Am I wrong? Can you respect a women who wants to just...clean up the shit you as a man produce?

I am a man. Good looking too. I dont have a great track record with Japanese women. I do have some success...but overall....I dont like it when I say something they agree with me.

I want a women with brains. A producer. A doer. A women who can work with me to create a profitable business together. Work together, Stay together....

Anyway, maybe it is me who is not living in this world.

Think?

[Shibuya Me]

Please delete me.....

[GomiGirl]

Music to my ears.. I knew guys like you were out there..

[AssKissinger]

Music to my ears.. I knew guys like you were out there..

GG, don't be fooled. Guys who sing this tune are just on a cover-up and usually they have the most to hide.

P.S. Work really does suck.

[Andocrates]

Shibuya Me, you seem to be saying that staying at home nurturing children, keeping the house clean, cooking nutritious meals etc. is not a worthwhile goal. Well, I think your mom would disagree.

Some career women put their career above everything else, including the husband and children. Others manage to strike a balance. What you just expressed was a radical feminist view that traditional values are inherently unfair to women - well talk to God cause it's been like that since the world began. The babies come out of the mother and as much as the father tries he can never achieve the connection a mother has.

[American Oyaji]

Andocrates just dropped a HUGE bomb.