Title
Passages to Modernity: Motherhood, Childhood, and Social Reform in Early TwentiethCentury Japan,New
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Contemporary Japanese women are often presented as devoted fulltime wives and mothers. At the extreme, they are stereotyped as 'education mothers' (kyoiku mama), completely dedicated to the academic success of their children. Children of working mothers are pitied; daycare users, both children and mothers, are faintly disparaged for their inadequate home lives; hired babysitters are virtually unknown. Yet historical evidence reveals a strikingly different picture of Japanese motherhood and childcare at the beginning of the twentieth century. In contrast to today, child tending by nonmaternal caregivers was widely accepted at all levels of Japanese society. Daycare centers flourished, and there was virtually no expectation of exclusive maternal care of children, even infants.The patterns of the formation of modern Japanese attitudes toward motherhood, childhood, childrearing, and home life become visible as this study traces the early twentiethcentury rise of Japanese daycare centers, institutions established by middleclass philanthropists and reformers to provide for the physical wellbeing and mental and moral development of urban lowerclass preschool children. Daycare gained broad support in turnofthecentury Japan for several reasons. For one, daycare did not clash with widely accepted norms of child care. A second factor was the perception of public and private policymakers that daycare held the promise of social and national progress through economic and moral betterment of the urban lower classes. Finally, daycare offered working mothers the opportunity to earn a better livelihood with fewer worries about their children. In spite of emerging notions that total devotion to childrearing was a woman's highest calling, Japanese nationalism, a signal force in the genesis of the modern Japanese state, economy, and middleclass culture, fed a deep wellspring of support for daycare and fostered significant reshaping of motherhood, childhood, home life, and view of the urban lower classes.Passages to Modernity is an important and original contribution to our understanding of the institutional and ideological reach of the early twentiethcentury state and the contested emergence of a striking new discourse about woman as domestic caregiver and homemaker.
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- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: This book contains two hundred forty-eight pages. It's a comprehensive study of motherhood and childhood in early twentieth-century Japan.
- Q: What is the binding type of the book? A: The book is available in paperback binding. This makes it lightweight and easy to handle for reading.
- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The book measures six point twenty-six inches in length, zero point seventy-five inches in width, and nine point twenty-five inches in height.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Kathleen S. Uno. She explores significant themes related to motherhood and social reform in Japan.
- Q: What is the main subject of the book? A: The book discusses motherhood, childhood, and social reform in early twentieth-century Japan. It challenges contemporary stereotypes.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic research? A: Yes, the book is suitable for academic research. It provides original contributions to the understanding of Japanese social history.
- Q: How should I store the book? A: Store the book in a cool, dry place to prevent damage. Avoid direct sunlight to preserve the cover and pages.
- Q: Can I clean the book if it gets dirty? A: Yes, you can clean the book gently. Use a dry cloth to wipe off dust without damaging the cover or pages.
- Q: Is this book appropriate for young readers? A: The book is aimed at adult audiences and may not be suitable for young readers. It discusses complex social issues.
- Q: What if I receive a damaged book? A: If you receive a damaged book, contact the seller for a return or exchange. Most sellers provide a clear return policy.
- Q: Does the book include bibliographic references? A: Yes, the book includes bibliographic references. This supports the research and findings presented by the author.
- Q: Is this book part of a series? A: No, this book is not part of a series. It stands alone as an important study of Japanese history.
- Q: Can I find this book in libraries? A: Yes, many libraries carry this book. Check your local library catalog for availability.
- Q: What kind of audience is this book intended for? A: The book is intended for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Japanese history and social issues.
- Q: Does the book discuss modern implications? A: Yes, the book discusses modern implications of early twentieth-century motherhood and childhood in Japan.