Equality in Japan, Equality in the Philippines

Statue in a fertility cave in Chi Ki Iwa, Shinshiro City

I sat in front of my laptop with the full intention of writing about gender equality in Japan. I wanted to integrate Emma Watson's speech at the UN that has gone viral on the internet. Plus, I also wanted to feature the cheer leading routine of the University of the Philippines in last week's competition. It used equality as a theme. To emphasize the point, the ladies carried the guys while doing the pyramids. This is the PLAN. But I guess my brain cells are still half asleep. (At least you know that I had grand plans in writing this piece).

I'll just be direct on this gender equality issue and write this: There's gender inequality in Japan especially in the areas of business and politics. In fact, Japan and Korea are the only OECD countries that are in the lower ranks when it comes to gender equality. Bangladesh, a developing country, ranks higher than Japan. Interestingly, even with these findings, gender inequality doesn't seem to be a major issue in Japan.
Hai, Okasan! (Yes, Mother!)

I have yet to talk to a Japanese woman who have strong convictions on advancing gender equality. Truth is, I sense that most of the married Japanese woman I've talked to are fine being a housekeeper. They don't have to work so late at night like their husbands do. They have time to be with their children. When the children grows up, they can work part-time or have the time to pursue hobbies. For unmarried women, they have more freedom to do what they want in their careers. There's little pressure for them to be successful professionally unlike with Japanese men. The pressure for them is to get married which women in other countries also experience. This pressure, I believe, is more of biological in nature. Babies borne from younger mothers are healthier. I'm not saying that Japan's gender roles are ideal, just worth considering about. If gender equality is such a big thing in other culture, why it isn't the case in Japan?

(More on Gender Equality in Japan: 40% want wives kept out of workforce)

In the article ''Who Wears the Pants in Japan?,'' the writer illustrated the extent of Japanese women's influence. Women's influence in the Japanese society is subtle but far-reaching. They may not be in the government making policies, or in the offices making plans to advance the company but they're in the homes, influencing each man who serves the government and who works in an office. Without openly recognizing it, Japanese society is highly matriarchal. So maybe that's why women don't make a big fuss on the issue of gender equality. 

Opo, Nanay (Yes, Mother!)

The Philippines is also a matriarchal society, I don't know if Filipinos realize this. It comes from the 300+ years that we are under the Spanish influence. Hispanic societies are highly matriarchal. Men are expected to be good providers to be respected. But women... they have to be honored and respected for just being women. In fact, the Philippines is the only developing country in the Top 10 of countries with high gender equality.  And even without this survey, it can easily be seen how Filipino women are in charge of homes, of schools and even of businesses. Personally, I like to see Filipino men rise,  take more leadership roles and define themselves. Filipino women are known for being sweet, warm and accommodating.How about the men?  I wonder what strong identity do Filipino men have?

(Check out the Philippines fare in Gender Equality Ranking, here)

The truth about the Philippines is this: the equality that we should be demanding for is not of gender but of socio-economic status.The wide gap between the rich and poor is what causes the problems in the country. This divide is not only the government's fault though they play a big role. If I apply the same reasoning that I used with the Japanese women's role in the society, could it be that in a way, the poor people in the country is also fine being poor? I'm not saying they're happy in their situation but maybe they're okay with it. Otherwise, they would have done something with their situation. The government may not be the best government in the world but it's unlike those controlling government in the Middle East and China.

Equal is Not the Same

There's a common misconception that equality is similarity. This is absolutely a stupid argument. Even the Bible identified gender roles, poor and rich, slave-master relationships. Equality means to give the same worth, the same value regardless of race, color, economic status or gender. In Japan, women do not have the same opportunities in business and government but maybe they are respected in the household. Hence, gender equality is not a big issue. In the Philippines, the poor do not enjoy the same luxury as the upper class do but maybe they feel they're still recognized as part of society. Hence, no rebellion nor revolution is taking place. Or maybe, people just don't have the strength to demand equality because just like me, their brain cells are still half-asleep.





On a side note, Book 5 of Heroes of Olympus will be out soon! 
Even though the book did not use ''Heroes and Heroines,' in the title, girls are given major roles in this series.