Author: Akiko Ishiyama
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-11-03
Year: 2010
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2011
Examination Committee: Kyoko Kusakabe (Chairperson); Philippe Doneys, Soparth Pongquan (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: In most countries, rights of women to retain their own surname upon marriage is allowed, but surname issue is still controversial in Japan. This study studied how conservative women’s groups come to go against separate surnames issue by interviewing conservative women’s group leaders and members. It also conducted focus group discussion to understand how the tactics of conservative women’s groups might be gaining grounds among non-members by discussion with university students and white-collar employees in Tokyo. The study showed that conservative women’s groups are using surname issues to gain certain position in the conservative movement as a whole – what I would see as patriarchal bargain (Kandiyoti 1988). Conservative women’s groups play on general perception of fear that is prevailing in Japan to call for more conservative family values, but ironically, the very reason why they are gaining grounds is because of the advancement of women’s participation in society achieved over the last few decades. Focus group discussion showed that strategy to predate on fear can gain sympathy from non-members. The study concludes that building a more secure society where people do not need to fear for their future will lead to a more healthy discussion on surname issues.
Scholarship Donor(s): Paitial Fellowship from AIT
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
