THE SOCIO-POLITICAL ROLE OF WOMEN IN JAPAN AND BURMA

Abstract

This dissertation is concerned with the comparative analysis of the significance of the socio-political roles of women in Japan and Burma within the social, political and cultural context. It will explore the truth or inaccuracy of certain general assumptions about the low status of Asian women in family, society and public! life and relate such status to the importance of their roles” in these same areas of national life. Since the sum...total of women's public life consists of political and legal -rights, status in society (which usually reflects that in family life), and economic and educational opportunities, these aspects of the life of women in Japan and Burma will be investigated to discover the underlying reasons, if any, for the nature of roles in contemporary public life. For purposes of comparative study, the historical background forms the baseline from which to measure change toward modernization which, in the main is: improvement in status and greater equality of rights and personal freedom, active participation in public life, and the kind of contribution made toward nation-building.The transitional roles- of Japanese and Burmese women in the early period of modernization in the latter half of the nineteenth century is juxtaposed against those of the post-World War II era to point up gradual or sudden changes.