This Is Japan
Explore everyday life in Japan
The word for childrearing in Japanese is Ikuji (育児). For some time now, childrearing in Japan has been a responsibility that has fallen predominantly, if not entirely, on the shoulders of Japanese women. The reasons for this, I believe, are more related to the economy and the business culture that arose after World War II than any traditional beliefs about gender role. It is my understanding that in pre-industrial Japan, children were raised by a family unit and that men at that time played more of a role in childrearing than they do now. How much more of a role they played, though, is unclear to me.
These days, the trials of childrearing that women have largely singlehandedly been exposed to are becoming more well know in Japan. TV dramas depicting the endless, non-stop work of motherhood have appeared on Primetime TV (Zannen na Otto (Lousy Husband)). The idea that men have a right to not participate in household duties like changing diapers, bathing and feeding children, and cooking, etc. because they are exhausted from working all day is becoming outdated.
With this change, the word Ikumen (イクメン) is growing in popularity and use. Ikumen is a complimentary word that describes men who participate in household tasks and childrearing. Though it is still common to hear women swoon over gorgeous, handsome men by saying Ikemen as they walk by, it is becoming more and more common to hear women in pairs and in groups also crooning over men who are seen out with their children--Ikumen da ne!
Ikumen, the word for a man who is involved with his family, differs from Ikemen by the sound of only one syllable. So if you are a man and you are walking down the street in Japan with your son or daughter and someone says something that sounds like either of these two words as you walk by, they probably aren’t calling you a handsome stud. They are probably calling you a good father, which is a trait that has become just as appealing and valued in Japan as being handsome, wealthy, famous, or successful, maybe even more.
This is an ongoing series that will explore various aspects of daily life in Japan. My hope is that this series will not only reveal to its followers, image by image, what Japan looks like, but that it will also inform its followers about unique Japanese items and various cultural and societal practices. If you are interested in getting daily updates about life in Japan, please consider following me at @boxcarblue. If you have any questions about life in Japan, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will do my best to answer all of your questions.
Great post and pictures! Arigato, namaste :)
I'm glad you liked them! Interesting mix of languages in your comment:)
My pleasure really, glad you enjoyed it. Namaste :)
Nice pics!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked them!