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The Deinstitutionalization of Japanese Marriage?

Sørensen, Johanne Damgaard (2016) ACET35
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
In the past few decades Japan has experienced changes in its marital institution. Japanese men and women have started to postpone marriage and childbearing or remain unmarried, and the number of divorces have increased. Exactly the changes in marriage trends have been the point of departure of this study. The purpose of this study was to focus attention on Japanese marriage. Specifically, this thesis has explored in what way the institution of marriage has changed and whether it has deinstitutionalized in Japan since the 1970s. By following the historical development of the marital institution in Japan from the 1970s until today and using the theory of deinstitutionalization of marriage the main conclusion of this study is that despite... (More)
In the past few decades Japan has experienced changes in its marital institution. Japanese men and women have started to postpone marriage and childbearing or remain unmarried, and the number of divorces have increased. Exactly the changes in marriage trends have been the point of departure of this study. The purpose of this study was to focus attention on Japanese marriage. Specifically, this thesis has explored in what way the institution of marriage has changed and whether it has deinstitutionalized in Japan since the 1970s. By following the historical development of the marital institution in Japan from the 1970s until today and using the theory of deinstitutionalization of marriage the main conclusion of this study is that despite changes, Japanese marriage has not been deinstitutionalized. Strong attitudinal changes have taken place in favour of a less gendered division of labour. However, Japan has experienced few cohabiting relationships, extramarital childbirths, and the rules for same-sex partnerships have changed gradually. Characteristic for Japanese marriage has been its distinctive development since the 1970s with a coexistence of change and persistence of legal rules as well as social norms. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sørensen, Johanne Damgaard
supervisor
organization
course
ACET35
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Japan, marriage, institution, deinstitutionalization
language
English
id
8894889
date added to LUP
2016-11-14 12:16:58
date last changed
2016-11-14 12:16:58
@misc{8894889,
  abstract     = {{In the past few decades Japan has experienced changes in its marital institution. Japanese men and women have started to postpone marriage and childbearing or remain unmarried, and the number of divorces have increased. Exactly the changes in marriage trends have been the point of departure of this study. The purpose of this study was to focus attention on Japanese marriage. Specifically, this thesis has explored in what way the institution of marriage has changed and whether it has deinstitutionalized in Japan since the 1970s. By following the historical development of the marital institution in Japan from the 1970s until today and using the theory of deinstitutionalization of marriage the main conclusion of this study is that despite changes, Japanese marriage has not been deinstitutionalized. Strong attitudinal changes have taken place in favour of a less gendered division of labour. However, Japan has experienced few cohabiting relationships, extramarital childbirths, and the rules for same-sex partnerships have changed gradually. Characteristic for Japanese marriage has been its distinctive development since the 1970s with a coexistence of change and persistence of legal rules as well as social norms.}},
  author       = {{Sørensen, Johanne Damgaard}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Deinstitutionalization of Japanese Marriage?}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}