Gender Roles In Japan: Unmarried Women

The absence of the birth control pill in Japan may lead one to question the role abortion plays in Japanese society for all women but especially single women. As noted, one in five pregnancies has been estimated to end in abortion.

An important factor in the Pill controversy is the reality of single motherhood. "Single motherhood is a seldom excercised option (less than 1 percent of all women) for several reasons. Since even college graduates have difficutly getting a good job, what kind of work could an unwed or teenage mother expect to find? What would she do about daycare? Facilities are already oversubscribed" (Condon).

Gender roles and attitudes regarding sex effect the status of single mothers. Perhaps the opinions surrounding single motherhood are one of the biggest deterrants of carrying a pregnancy to term. "[An] illegitimate child 'dirties' the family register, and even if the child is adopted, the name of the natural mother must appear with the child's name in a document that follows this young person throughout lifewhen he or she is applying for schools and jobs" (Condon).

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