EXPLAINING JAPANESE EXCEPTIONALISM IN FATHER INVOLVEMENT

1
EXPLAINING JAPANESE EXCEPTIONALISM IN FATHER
INVOLVEMENT

• Scott North
• School of Human Sciences
• Osaka University, Japan

2
Levels of Father Involvement in Japan

• Historically - varied. Declining in 20th century.
• Recent surveys show gains from low base.
• International comparisons put Japan at the bottom.

3
Defining Involved Fathers in Japan

• Physical care.
• Public commitment not just family service.
• Willing to be strange, to refuse overtime.
• Nurturant father

4
Explaining Low Father Involvement Gender Power

• Gender scripts in law and daily life.
• A heavy past constrains progress.
• Mothers gate keeping.
• Patriarchal evolution.
• 1st sons symbolize male privilege.
• Women are mothers, fathers are men.

5
Explaining Low Father Involvement Work

• Ideal workers work-life balance.
• Mens hours of work in Japan.
• Overtime and service overtime.
• Employment rent.
• Company as family masculinized workplaces.

6
Sum Low Father Involvement Fits Inherited Life
Plans

• Family cant compete with work.
• Uninvolved father is expected.
• A striking difference in degree.

7
The Future of Japanese Fatherhood?

• Statistics lagging actual trends?
• Fewer children, more value?
• Growing recognition of fathers contributions to
  childrens well-being.
• Media images nurturant fathers are still news,
  not yet normal.