These few years the rate of marriage has
been decreasing and also the number of people who can’t marriage has been
increasing. Look at the below picture.
This picture shows the change of the rate
of unmarried men and women by age. The shape of a cross shows people who are
from 25 to 29 years old, the shape of a circle shows people who are from 30 to
34 years old and the shape of a square shows people who 50 years old. We can
easily see how many people who are suitable age for marriage haven’t got
married yet. This rise of the rate of single people will encourage the
declining birth rates. That’s why we decided to research reasons why people don’t
marry. We can find a plenty of reasons but this time we’re going to focus on
these two components; Economy and Feminism.
Why these two are important factor of
decline of marriage?
Economy
After the bubble economy collapsed,
Japanese economy goes on growing worse. Of course, after the average income
reached its peak in 1997 (4,673,000 yen), it shows a tendency to decrease. Women
seem to get to be worry about an economic power.
According to the survey of the government,
67.2% out of women in their 20’s and 30’s worry about their husband income
(2011). In addition, in other survey,
over 70% out of women who were surveyed also answered that the ideal income of
their marriage partner is over 6 million yen. However, in fact, the men’s real
average income is about 4 million (2011), so there is a big gap between dream
and reality. In addition, when I compare between men who are employed regularly
and men who are employed irregularly, the former is superior to the latter in
terms of the rate of married people regardless of age.
Then, why do women pay attention to husbands’ income? One of factors
is the fact that their amount of money they can use is reduced. Before women
get married, they work and earn money as well as men. According to the National
Tax Agency, the average income of women being from 25 to 29 years old is 2,950,000
yen Even if we think simply that women can use half of money which their
husband earn after they get married, they will be able to use much less money
after they get married.
Second one is women tend to stable orientation. Under the influence
of hard times, the number of people who work irregularly is increasing.
However, women naturally won’t choose them as a partner because they don’t have
much money and there is some possibility which they will be fired.
Feminism
After the economic part, we’re going to
look at women. In bubble era in Japan
At first, let me explain what the feminism is. The word “feminism” was created by Mary
Wollstonecraft. The word “feminism” is to treat men and women equally in the
society. It is distinguished depending on the era. We can define it as 3 types.
First one is the movement of women demanding for the right to vote and the
right to own property, called “first-wave-feminism”. Second feminism asserted that
women have to be treated in the same way as men in society, and that they
should have their own identities, not as “female”. This is called “second-wave-feminism”.
In second feminism it mainly means that women have not to be discriminated
because they are “female”. For example it should never be allowed that women
are less likely to succeed to enter companies and make a good career. After the
second movement, the word has been used in a broad sense. While it meant to
provide same human right both for men and women in the second wave, it has come
to mean that you can make your choice freely and design your way of life,
regardless of men or women. Here is a common example; if your wife wants to
work after marriage and bearing, you should not stop her with any reason
because she has the right to live and work freely that are basic rights of human.
This is its logo.
Next, I’m going to show spread of feminism inJapan
Next, I’m going to show spread of feminism in
1.Free time to spent as she wants.
2.A lot of work for women to do.
3.Don’t want to change wife’s name
1&2. These days the philosophy that “marriage equals the best choice for women” is starting to drop out internationally because of feminism. In 1986, Japanese government stated "the equal employment act" , which gave opportunities of working to women. Nowadays most company treats women equally as men and some companies need more female co-workers because normally women are more hard-working than men. This can increase their benefits and working efficiency. Also, hiring women can help them build themselves up. Because of these backgrounds, now women can choose their way of life as they want, so the number of unmarried single women who work hard is increasing.
3. This is a kind of effects of feminism.
After women married with her husband, women have to change her name to his
name. They may just think changing their name is troublesome on their work and unequal. In fact some women I've met have used their old name to prevent mistakes from their new names. This isn't always big matter of hesitation of marriage but certainly problem with marriage.
Conclusion
We've focused on two factors, ailing economy and feminism. We can consider more examples as the factors of marriage rate decline however such other things are probably based on these two things. To make good business conditions in Japan, economy healthy, fair working conditions for women and high marriage rate(which helps increase a high birth rate and increase in population helps economy growth) are necessary. We young people should focus on the importance of marriage now.
Conclusion
We've focused on two factors, ailing economy and feminism. We can consider more examples as the factors of marriage rate decline however such other things are probably based on these two things. To make good business conditions in Japan, economy healthy, fair working conditions for women and high marriage rate(which helps increase a high birth rate and increase in population helps economy growth) are necessary. We young people should focus on the importance of marriage now.
