Japan and the falling birthrates

Japan: a country so advanced it gives #firstworldproblems a new meaning. The total fertility rate of Japan has been incredibly low - 1.41 children per woman in 2012 (1). Since 2007, Japan has been experiencing a net loss of human life (219,153 more people died than babies were born (1)) and the trend seems to not only be continuing but getting worse. These alarming facts seem to be the result of a very surprising trend in Japan: young Japanese people aren’t having sex (2).

            Throughout all of our studies in this class, when procreation was brought up, it was exclusively talked about with regards to limiting it and supporting birth control. This is why I found Japan’s case so interesting; I can’t imagine the pressures that drive people from acting on sexual desires and seeking that contact. It’s a first world country with the exact opposite problems of the developing countries; people aren’t having getting married, having sex, and creating babies (2). I was first made aware of this after reading an article on The Guardian “Why have young people in Japan stopped having sex?”

            According to the article, 45% of women and 25% of men 16-24 are not interested in sexual contact (2). Furthermore, about a third of people under 30 have never dated at all (2). The author proposes the social culture has led to these problems. There are very strong social norms concerning men and women with regards to their roles in society. The men need to get jobs and the women need to get married, become a housewife, and have children.

            I would agree with the author’s assessment. It’s almost as if what’s happening in Japan is the exact opposite of the 70’s here in America. Japanese young adults could be seen as rebelling from the oppressive social norms that are imposed on them. Women who prefer it continue to work rather than get married and be expected to stay at home for the rest of their lives. Men who are too shy end up simply enjoying being single or turn to technology to soothe their needs, becoming hikikomori (recluse or shut-in, almost seeming to suffer from agoraphobia). The question, then, is how do you solve this?

            Honestly, I think we’ve relied on the natural experience of sex or sexual contact to be all the motivation we, as humans, need to continue to practice. So this case presents an interesting problem. However, the solution probably lies with the social structure of the Japanese. In order to change men and women’s feelings towards relationships and marriage, things need to change in the business world as well as the people and what expect from the different sexes. Women need to have more understanding and accepting workplaces – where maternity leave is given and women are still viewed as useful, even post-baby. They need to feel as though they are still respected and an asset. With women maintaining a presence in the workplace more, men can feel less of a need to be the only breadwinner in the family.

           

 (1) Wikipedia. (n.d.). Demographics of Japan. Retrieved December 6, 2013, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Japan

(2) Haworth, A. (2013, October 19). Why have young people in Japan stopped having sex? Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex