Male business recession has clearly been showing the increase in numbers year after year. Male business recession means that the unemployment rate for men has been exceeding that of women for about 1%.
Why!? There seems to be various reasons, but most practically, it is because that the manufacturing and construction industries that require men’s physical labor, and which women cannot generally get involved in, have been declined. As the population of Japan has become smaller, the number of constructing new buildings and houses also decreases, and I assume it will not end. On the contrary, where there is a big growth in employment is the service industry. The labor cost in this field is low and women are highly appreciated. Many women in 60s and over are working at well-known fast food restaurants. Nursing assistants for the elderly are also mostly women.
In addition to male business recession, another trend that has been increasing is the widened income gap among newly married couples. People with high income such as highly educated doctors, elite business persons, and others tend to get married with those who have similar job status and income. Their total income as a family can become about 1.5million yen a month. On the other hand, the number of couples who are both temporary employed is also increasing. Their total income as a family makes about 300,000 yen a month. Although it is an extreme case, the income gap between two examples of married couples is almost as big as 5 times.
Statistically, men’s marriage rate drops down to 10% when their annual income drops below 3 million yen. This result indicates that one’s income affects the possibility of getting married and this may end up to create an image that it is an unattainable dream to get married as long as their income continues to decrease.
Don’t be afraid to be poor! In fact, have fun and be good at being poor!! I think that those people with low income should think that they have been tested whether they are wise and tough enough to have their own life. When I got married, we were very poor. But I used to go shopping all the way to Okachimachi for reasonable goods. I would buy meat and fish in bulk, and separate them in smaller packages to keep in stock in a freezer. I was always ready to welcome guests at home and serve them with rich and delicious meals. I knew how to make my guests feel satisfied. Now we have Costco, grocery store for retailers, 99yen shops or many others where we can find reasonable goods to prepare good meals with. Home Gardening is also a good way to cut down expenses on foods. (Please check my previous article about Home Gardening.) Besides Tokyo, the house rent is relatively low and over 70% of young people shall be able to inherit their parent’s house later. More and more people like to share an apartment room or a house, which is also a good idea.
Finally but not the least, you must be worried about the education fee for your children. But often times, I think many people are fooled by advertising of cramming schools and end up in wasting much money. What I recommend for children to learn is an abacus. Then they should practice reading and transcribing their textbooks daily at home. Writing book reports is also recommended. Those learning habits can enable you to settle a firm base for your children without spending money in order for them to become ready for upcoming learning. If you want them to learn English, Disney DVD is a good tool. Watch the DVD in Japanese twice and watch it in English for 30 times. The smaller your children are, the more quickly they acquire how to speak English with the proper pronunciations. There is always a way to provide good education for your children. Make sure your children play in the nature. Have them experience much adventure and they will develop their own personalities.
Children who will shine in the international society would be those who don’t lie or break promises. Those who grow up feeling loved by parents, or a parent, usually have fabulous smiles. I think such children will be able to open to any professional fields. Rather, children who are gentle and kind to the weak will be much more appreciated. Those traits cannot be purchased; if anything, I’m afraid that children may lose those traits as long as their education continues to be bought.
If a couple can earn 4 or 5 million yen annually, the family can manage to have a rich life. We should think over again and live vigorously. And I wish each family will choose to engage in child rearing for a happier family life.
Recession of male business is not only happening in Japan, but also in the US and many other countries in the world. That is why it is important to change our ways of thinking. Maybe women need to respect and praise men more consciously so that men will not lose their self-confidence.