Changes of Japanese Women in Life-attitude and in Life-structure

Research Project

Project/Area Number	59410005
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (A)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	社会学(含社会福祉関係)
Research Institution	Tsuda College
Principal Investigator	AOI Kazuo 津田塾大学, 学芸, 教授 (70011260)
Project Period (FY)	1984 – 1985
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 1985)
Budget Amount *help	¥3,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000) Fiscal Year 1985: ¥500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000) Fiscal Year 1984: ¥3,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000)
Keywords	life-cycle / life-stage / woman with academic background / life-structure / 女性 / 生活構造 / 生活態度 / 業績主義
Research Abstract	According to the results of the social reseach on the graduates of Tsuda Collefe, we have tried to analize the life-courses of the wemen with academic background. We have picked up four generations and made a comparative study on life-stages, turning points, professional career, married life, old age etc.. In analyzing the data, we have found out the characteristics of the eldest generation ( they graduated from Tsuda College in 1910s-1920s.). We call these women "Kojimachi-generation". They belonged to relatively upper classes. Before entering Tsuda Collage, they already had the opportunities to contact with the English and also the foreigners. They came from the families which were liberal, enlightening and educative. Among them, we found many Christians. These women graduated frome Tsuda College in the age of "Taisho-Democracy". Many og them went to America to study or to accompany their husband. Thet enjoyed these rare opportunities which were permitted only to small number of Japaneses at this time. During the World War II, they were unfortunate because the English was prohibited as the langage of enemy. After the war, they could live a lucky life because they coulf speak the English which became often demanded, and because Americans are liberal and achievement-oriented, and also they did not discriminate women so much. These women's careers were often cut off owing to marriage, childbirth, war etc., but they were always looking for the meaning of life in their jobs. So, we found the categories of SSM are not suited to these women's careers. The characteristics of the "Kojimachi-generation" are, of course, succeeded by the later generations.