how bad is sexism and prejudice in Japan?

[samokan]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

But he`s not talking about IT. He`s talking about ALT - English teachers.

There are fewer women going into IT, which is part of it, along with their leaving work at the drop of a hat.

I was aware about that.

In Japan, yes there are fewer women going into IT, they still consider it a man's world.

[jasonbvr]

The 'he' happens to be a she, but I am going to have to side with Nyororin on the issue of female teachers. I still occasionally come across advertisements looking specifically for female teachers. The numbers are different because there are simply more male applicants than female. You can draw your own conclusions as to why that is the case.

And I am quite sure that Samokan would agree that the issue of females entering the IT is not only in Japan but rather a global trend.

[Maku]

Originally Posted by samokan

I was aware about that.

In Japan, yes there are fewer women going into IT, they still consider it a man's world.

Perhaps that's not the case.
Possibly they are less interested in I.T generally.

Just a thought, as usual diuscussions have led me to believe that generally women are considerably less interested in I.T than men are.

[samokan]

Originally Posted by jasonbvr

And I am quite sure that Samokan would agree that the issue of females entering the IT is not only in Japan but rather a global trend.

India, Singapore, Philippines have shown a steady growth of female I.T. engineers, Im not sure about other asian or western countries though. But yeah, it is a global trend. Hopefully that will change


@Maku. For female the idea of working in Technological field is maybe I don't know.. geeky?? less feminine?? they automatically think its difficult

[Nyororin]

I apologize for the gender mixup. You think I`d know better as it irritates me when people assume I`m male. Argh.

Either way - I don`t really think that actual numbers of a gender in a specific field of work means much of anything in the long run. As much at it is denied, women and men definitely prefer different careers and in general have different interests. There are exceptions (Like me) but it`s not an empty stereotype.
Saying that fewer women in IT careers doesn`t mean that they`re not being allowed into the field. It may be that they just *don`t want to do it*.
No one ever brings up "Fewer women in construction!" because women generally don`t want to do manual labor.

The biggest point is whether women have the *choice* available to them. In my experience, in Japan, they do. It doesn`t matter which path they actually choose.

[kireikoori]

I don't feel like going back and reading the rest of the thread just yet.

There is definitely some sexism in Japan. But in some they've never faced the sexism women faced in other countries like the United States.
Women in Japan never had to fight to be involved in academics. The Tale of Genji was written by a woman. Though, there were female writers in Renaissance Europe..so I dunno exactly how much of a deal that issue with feminism exactly...but they had a bit of a hard time in the US at one point.

[SgtBeavis]

Originally Posted by kawaiineko

I'm a female, which in many ways will not be to my advantage moving to Japan. They view males as the superior gender in Japan (actions speak louder then words; I hear with a woman pursuing a career there is what is known as a "glass ceiling"). I'm also a foreigner which will not prove to be to my advantage.

Granted with the trouble Japanese have had with foreign countries in the past (U.S. during WWII and China) I can understand to an extent. However I'm just wondering how judgmental Japanese will look at you regarding these topics. Lucky me, I fit under both categories so the odds are kind of against me.

I know for the most part, Japanese is not a melting pot; they tend to be homogeneous group of people. Foreign is different, and people fear what they don't understand, which is probably a large reason of why prejudice and sexism exist.

Traditionally women haven't played the role of working outside the house, helping to bring income to the home (at least not in Japan) until recently. Some Japanese are probably more set in their ways then others regarding this change (I know Japanese have many traditions in their culture, some being a daily part of life, which they view as sacred)

Did you actually have a question? Because it seems to me that you've already made up your mind.

[EvilxxBunny]

[quote=kawaiineko;150385]I mean in America, look at how the 50's and 60's have done with our view about minority groups (African Americans and Latinos; even though U.S. tries to promote accepting diversity in cultural groups, some people can still view them as inferior simply because of what race they are; it all depends on what time period they were raised in). Look at what the whole 9/11 incident has done; look at how it's made us view Arabs or anybody from the Middle East or Saudi Arabia. [quote=kawaiineko;150385]

yea...im a bit japanese but mostly mexican, though i dont look mexican, my eyes are a bit slanted and im pale, but once some1 knows im part mexican there all like 'oh really? ur lying. Mexicans are tan and stupid, plus they have very thick facial features (im 'delicate' featured--acording to others) and since the prob w/ the illegals tension has really risin so the look at me like im evil and i shoudent be here (when they learn im part mexican) ive been in US all my life and my parent most thiers ><;;;

i plan on going to Japan in the future, Japan has always fasinated and entralled me i have also heard of the raping situation, but its not as severe now, i belive.

[BlueGirl]

This is a fascinating topic. I personally am a female American and I someday hope to move to Japan after college, where I will be getting an engineering degree. Can anyone say whether that will be particularly difficult, or is it like Nyorin said, are more men just generally interested?

[OtakuGaijin]

The good majority of Japanese women (about 75%) see their lives in the following steps, going to school, getting an education, learning traditional habits, getting a good job, finding the right man, getting married , and having kids, and so on and so forth.

Guess what they learn? this system sucks!

If any of you have read any information on the declining population which is now happening in japan, U can see that it is due to couples who later marry in their thirties and forties now,

Women in Japan are tired of the stereotype the world sees them in, and many have decided to enjoy a longer career in business and likewise.

Which is why Japan has literally opened its doors to outside workers,
especially foreign females,

This doesn't mean that is going to be easy, but a challenge is something that needs to happen in order for japan to change his ways of thinking,

I once told somebody that the Japanese respect those Gaijin who took the time to learn the language and the writing too!

to the young lady who began this Topic, U R beginning a new Adventure, and things like this will happen, so face it when the time come....