Date of Award

Fall 5-9-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Political Science & Language and Culture

First Advisor

Gabriel Salgado

Second Advisor

Katsuya Izumi

Third Advisor

Hanna Kifah

Abstract

In spoken Japanese, a husband will use妻 (tsuma) to refer to his own wife and use奥さん (okusan) to refer to the wife of another. The kanji for奥 (oku) means “deep inside” with 奥さん (okusan) carrying the literal meaning of “someone who is deeply hiding inside of the house”. Thus, this term illustrates the expectations for the wife to remain hidden deeply inside of the house, revealing how Japanese housewives are hidden figures in Japan.

The thesis shows the social situations of Japanese women and analyzes the pressures that lead Japanese women to become to housewives. The popular Japanese TV show The Full-Time Escapist will be analyzed using the work of feminist political theorists, such as revealing the cultural reasons and social impressions of women staying at home. The thesis uses the TV show to analyze their role in taking care of the family members and the expectation of being 良妻賢母, “good wife and wise mother”. Additionally, Japanese legislation is interpreted alongside the social issues presented in this drama to show the structural factors compelling Japanese women to become housewives.

Japanese women have been forced to become housewives under social concepts and systems. The oppression of women is often ignored by the public. This thesis will criticize the oppression of women in Japanese society by discussing whether Japanese women voluntarily become housewives or not and will provide a detailed understanding of current political and social climate of being women in Japan.

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