Full Description
Yoshida addresses the common misconceptions of single, never-married women and aims to uncover the major social and cultural factors contributing to this phenomenon in Japan. Based on interviews with married and never-married women aged 25-46, she argues that the increasing rate of female singlehood is largely due to structural barriers and a culture that has failed to keep up with economic changes.
Here is an academic book that is also reader-friendly to the general audience, it presents evidence from the interview transcripts in rich detail as well as insightful analysis. Important sociological concepts and theories are also briefly explained to guide student readers in making connections. Thus, this book not only serves to enlighten readers on current issues in Japan - it also provides sociological perspectives on contemporary gender inequality.
Contents
01. Acknowledgments
02. Introduction: The Drift into Singlehood
03. Chapter 2: Decline of Marriage Age Norm: Cohort Effects and Anomie
04. Chapter 3: Limited Chances of Romance and Problematic Men: Structural Barriers and Gender Ideology
05. Chapter 4: Cohort Contrast in Marriages that Surrounded Women: Impacts of Linked Lives
06. Chapter 5: Women's Ideas about Gender Roles: Persistence of Traditional Gender Ideology
07. Chapter 6: Why Aren't Japanese Women Getting Married?
08. Conclusion and Implications
09. Appendix
10. Notes
11. Bibliography
12. Index
