IT is ironic that two of the oldest civilizations and most historically influential countries are both facing a potentially bleak future because of their efforts at “social engineering.”
Social engineering is loosely defined as manipulation of the people into actions that would normally not be taken.
China’s social engineering was officially part of the government’s one-child policy to reduce population growth. The government passed laws that prohibited some 35 percent of the population from having more than one child. While there were many exceptions to this rule, the people were manipulated over several decades into firmly believing that severely limiting family size was in the best interest of the nation.
Historical studies have shown that as a nation progresses from an agricultural-based economy that requires large families and increases personal wealth, population growth falls naturally. But now, China is facing a demographic problem of an aging population. Further, there are 35 million more men than women in Chinese society who will probably never raise a family.
Japan’s problem of an aging population due to its low birth rate is now reaching critical mass that threatens to dramatically change its future, both socially and economically. But it was not Japan’s government that socially engineered its society, but the people themselves—through their collective attitude.
While in the rest of the world—except in most of the Middle Eastern countries—working married women are accepted, and even encouraged. In Japanese society, when a woman chooses work, instead of staying at home to look after her husband, she is called a “devil wife”.
As a result, woman had to choose between work and family, and prejudice against pregnant women in the work force is standard practice. Women are subject to constant harassment, demotion and dismissal when the employer discovers that she is pregnant. Pregnant women are discouraged from taking legally guaranteed maternity leave, or simply being pressured to quit.
The birth rate has fallen to such a low point over decades that the government realistically fears Japan’s population will fall from the current 127 million to less than 100 million. This is a shocking forecast that puts Japan’s economic future in jeopardy.
As part of the government’s economic program, legislation is being pushed to provide laws against “maternity harassment,” day-care centers; and the bills will also make it easier for nonregular workers to take time off during pregnancy and will expand subsidies for infertility treatment.
However, this is not the first time that the Japanese government has tried to tackle this problem, making a serious effort as far back as 2007. The difference this time may be that the Japanese people are finally realizing the seriousness of demographic problem and workplace discrimination against working women. Last year the Japanese Supreme Court handed a partial victory to a woman who sued her former employer for being demoted during pregnancy.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano