Gambling with Virtue

This is basically an analysis of women's roles in Japan in the '70s, '80s and '90s. It examines the way society was during those times, and how that related to women's roles. For example, in the '70s women were supposed to be married and have kids. Birth control pills were illegal until the late '90s, so there were a number of abortions performed. Men were supposed to be working, and women were to be at home taking care of the home and children.

Then the author says something I found particularly interesting:

'Historically in Japan, those outside or on the margins of everyday society were deemed impure, or alternatively dangerous; if brought inside and care for by a group, however, they could be purified and even transmuted into bearers of good fortune. Family ancestors, for example, have entered another world, and are potentially dangerous to the living if not looked after. If well care for by their family, through visits to graves and offerings at home, the ancestors will return the care to the living family members with health and prosperity.'

In the '90s the influence of media's view of independent women grew, particularly in women's magazines of which there are many. Women were still not paid equally with men, though, and management possibles were limited. Women's careers were still often interrupted by marriage and having children.

There's a lot of other information in this book, although the book overall is not extremely interesting.