著者

上野 千鶴子

出版者

神戸女学院大学

雑誌

女性学評論 (ISSN:09136630)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.1, pp.53-60, 1987-03

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In Japan, there are a number of names for the studies on women carried out before Women's Studies(joseigaku) appeared. These include studies on problems of "ladies"(fujinmondai), studies on problems of women in general(joseimondai),and studies on women(joseikenkyu). What is the difference between these three types of studies of women and Women's Studies(joseigaku)? Because of the discriminatory nature of the term"ladies,"feminists do not like to use it. Secondly,studies on problems of women gives theimpression of dealing with women who have problems without questioning the society which put women into such situations. Unlike other studies on women, Women's Studies does question whether the perspective in a given study is free from the influence of the male-dominant culture. This is how Women's Studies differs from studies on women. The definition of Women's Studies given by Teruko Inoue as the discipline "for and by and of"women is not quite right,although I admire her Japanese translation of Women's Studies which is joseigaku, not joseikenkyu. The distinction between these three previous types of studies on women and Women's Studies is not only the inclusion of women as the object of study, although it is often thought to be this,but the perspectives which are taken for granted in pre-Women's Studies research,namely the assumption that all women should be housewives and they will be happy. We may find many studies on women done by women from men's views which they internalized. We have to keep in mind that if one can hold a shifted perspective on men and women,she(or he) certainly can do Women's Studies. (Summerized by the Institute)