Influence of Western Scientific Thought on the Systemization of Women's Education in Meiji Japan

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23710315
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gender
• Research Institution: The University of Shimane Junior College (2012-2014); Chiba University (2011)
• Principal Investigator: SHUKO Watanabe 島根県立大学短期大学部, 総合文化学科, 講師 (70422582)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ジェンダー / 女子教育 / 西洋科学思想 / 明治 / 進化論 / 少女

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examines the evolution of the women's education system during the Meiji period considering the reception of Western scientific thought. It has been revealed that the theoretical foundation for women's secondary education was an evolutionary thought, while the conception of a life course for women was characterized by“school, marriage, and childbirth.”The primary aim was to improve the Japanese race through the management of their reproductive ability. Students were segregated based on gender, and their adherence to different curricula were founded on broad objectives of nation-state building - that is, evolution of the Japanese race and“efficient use”of the females' reproductive ability.

Free Research Field

ジェンダー