It's a huge waste of talent, as half of Asian graduates are female. And it is a waste that Asian companies can ill afford, given the severe shortage of senior managers in the region.
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Consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. A survey of companies in Asia’s leading economies have few women in senior jobs, missing out on a vital pool of talent to fuel the region’s growth. (AFP)
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2
Opinionhated
Always thinking of how to boost short term productivity. Never thinking about who has to birth the workers.
-3
JeffLee
Lack of senior managers?!? What have all these MBA programs pumping out over the years? The number of MBA grads has risen about five fold in the last few years, even more so in Asia.
Anyway, I think the region's growth has been "fueled" sufficiently as it is, given the record GDP growth in the last decade.
0
tmarie
Shame JT didn't bother to post the full article as it was well worth the read. Congrats Japan on being second last out of Asia with regards to female managers. 2% while Korea came last at 1%. If I recall correctly Ox was 12%, China 9% and 8%. Though is JT posted the article, those figures could be clarified.
Moderator
JT did publish the full article earlier in the week.
-2
NeverSubmit
Shortage of senior managers? People are getting laid off by the thousands and millions of experienced people can't find work.
There's something to be said for contributing to society by raising kids properly, but I guess that McKinsey doesn't care much about the next generation.
2
Aliasis
It is pretty shocking how few women are in high positions in Japan, but to be fair, the West still has a lot of ground to cover in that regard as well. Companies would do well to question sexist norms that prevent capable women from getting these jobs.
4
Aliasis
are you actually suggesting that women should be staying at home raising kids, and don't belong in the workplace? and that kids can't be raised properly unless Mom doesn't leave the kitchen much? I think you missed the memo where it's 2012 now, if so...
1
tmarie
Aliasis, some people jst can't wrap their heads around how a woman can be a mother AND work. Kind of like how the fathers are able to. Sad isn't it?
And yes, the west DOES have a lot more to improve on but they are still light years ahead of the Japan in this area. Many companies in the west offer daycare AT work whereas Japan... you're lucky if you can ever GET daycare.
0
y3chome
i think he is suggesting SOMEONE should stay home and raise the kids. In a lot of cases the most suitable person for that is the female, also taking into account the time they need off for giving birth etc. Im hoping that eventually I can provide an environment where my future wife doesnt HAVE to work - not such an easy thing to do these days. Those partners who dont have a financial NEED to work don:t know how lucky they are.
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NeverSubmit
Someone should definitely stay at home, preferably the mother, since children naturally and instinctively prefer them anyways.
After all, the baby already spent 9 months listening to his or her mother's heartbeat and becoming accustomed to her smell. Nothing comforts a baby more than being held by his or her own mother.
No matter how dedicated and well trained the daycare staff are they can never comfort the baby the same way as it's natural mother.
Why deprive a baby of comfort just for the sake of corporate profits?
Time to change our priorities. Babies and families first and corporate profits way down the list.
0
tmarie
And here we go....
**In a lot of cases the most suitable person for that is the female, also taking into account the time they need off for giving birth etc. **
Most suitable?? Really? Why? Most J women have as much of a clue as j men do when it comes to having kids. Men can learn how to change diapers and feed babies as well you know. Thing is, the way the system is set up for women in Japan of course THEY have to be the ones to stay home. Heaven forbid women be paid what they are worth and promoted to the levels they should be. Poor little men might have some insecurity issues with women making more and being the boss....
0
Thomas Anderson
Okay... then the corporations can offer some hefty maternity leave. And who says that a MAN isn't needed at home? Well, we'll need paternity leave as well. Maybe they can take turns doing the job. Then everybody will be happy!
0
Aliasis
For real... My mom was a clinical psychiatrist. My dad worked in professional psychology, too, but my mom earned a lot more than my dad. Sure, they worked, but somehow I managed not to suffer too terribly without mom dedicating her life to cleaning and cooking while I spent the day at school. This will really blow some people's minds - NeverSubmit, you might want to sit down before you read this - but actually my dad always did the laundry, and most of the cleaning. And they still raised me okay.
My parents, both of them, taught me the value of education, work, and not sitting at home all day. And no, the value of family was not lost, either.
If a woman wants to be a housewife, that's her business. However, if her husband wants to be a househusband, or doesn't want to take care of her while she watches soap operas and takes salsa lessons while he's working, then maybe something needs to change (and yes, I know in some instances it is economic or necessary for one parent to stay home, at least while children are young, and I certainly don't judge them). But a woman wanting to be a housewife isn't nearly as annoying as a man saying that women SHOULD be housewives, and that their duty is to stay home and take care of kids. This attitude is the very reason why women are so underrepresented in nearly every business in Japan, despite there being such a huge amount of female college graduates gagging for these positions.
0
kaminarioyaji
It does make you wonder what goes through the minds of Japanese people... There will be millions of Japanese men out there, in reasonably well paid positions of responsibility at work, and part of that reasonable pay will be going towards funding their daughter's Juku/Eikaiwa/Degree, but to what end? The very people paying for their daughters to get an outstanding education are what? the same people who then keep the little lady down in the lower ranks of the job market? What gives? Indeed a massive waste of talent, and money on education, if it too is wasted.
I'd love to see women promoted more in this country and get the vocational recognition they deserve, but...
-3
tmarie
If a woman wants to be a housewife, that's her business. However, if her husband wants to be a househusband, or doesn't want to take care of her while she watches soap operas and takes salsa lessons while he's working, then maybe something needs to change (and yes, I know in some instances it is economic or necessary for one parent to stay home, at least while children are young, and I certainly don't judge them). But a woman wanting to be a housewife isn't nearly as annoying as a man saying that women SHOULD be housewives, and that their duty is to stay home and take care of kids. This attitude is the very reason why women are so underrepresented in nearly every business in Japan, despite there being such a huge amount of female college graduates gagging for these positions.
Very well said.
It does make you wonder what goes through the minds of Japanese people... There will be millions of Japanese men out there, in reasonably well paid positions of responsibility at work, and part of that reasonable pay will be going towards funding their daughter's Juku/Eikaiwa/Degree, but to what end? The very people paying for their daughters to get an outstanding education are what? the same people who then keep the little lady down in the lower ranks of the job market? What gives? Indeed a massive waste of talent, and money on education, if it too is wasted.
Also very well said.
I ask my female students what on earth they are doing at uni if they want to be a housewife. Learn how to cook, clean, look after kids and save your dad thousands.
0
tmarie
Thumbs down for suggesting that those who want to be housewives learn to be be housewives?? Hahahaha!
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