First Meeting

Today we got the class going and started with an article from The Japan Times regarding the much-discussed idea of Japanese women being able to keep their own names after marriage, as advocated by Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Minister of Justice Keiko Chiba. As it stands now, having different surnames is not accepted. There was wide agreement among class members that women should be given choice, but that tradition should not be quickly disregarded. A long cultural discussion needs to happen before changing the laws. What's your opinion?

Today's Vocabulary: feminism, feminist, jargon, "going postal", surname, patriarch(y)(al)

Speaking of the Hatoyama family, how do you think Mrs. Hatoyama (Miyuki) is doing as Japanese First Lady? Is she representing Japan well? What do you know about her?

Welcome to Women Making News!

Let's share everything we know about women who are doing things in the world today. Which women  are doing something interesting that has inspired you? Which women are acting well in challenging new roles? Or acting badly, in ways that make us amazed about their behaviors?

Q: what does "feminism" mean to you? Is it a positive or negative word, in your way of thinking?

Let's teach each other. Blog on!