Japanese Female Generation: “Around 40”
Did you watch ‘Around 40’ last Friday?” “Yeah, it was very good. I felt as if it was my story…”
“Around 40” is a television drama series, which TBS has broadcasted on Friday nights since April. The drama series consists of stories about Japanese women who are around forty years old, dealing with issues such as marriage, work and childbirth. Along with the popularity of the drama, Japanese women aged around forty, so called “ara-fo” (an abbreviation of around 40), have attracted the media’s attention. Many articles about “ara-fo” are published in fashion magazines and on websites. In addition, major Japanese websites such as Nikkei BP, and Yahoo! Japan have “ara-fo” in their Japanese lexicons.
Media’s Attention is Nothing New
The media’s attention to the “ara-fo” generation has some history. “Ara-fo” first received the media’s attention in 1986 when the Law for Equal Employment Opportunity of Men and Women was implemented. Female university graduates of the time, who are now “ara-fo”, were hired by companies and held as equal under the law to men. Since then they have caught the media’s attention with regards to their careers, marriage and families.
“Ara-Fo” are Diverse but Face the Same Issues
Although Japanese women aged around 40 are all defined as “ara-fo”, such women have different lifestyles. Some “ara-fo” women are single and just focus on their careers, while others are housewives who take care of their children and husbands, but hold a desire to work in the future.
Despite their differences, all “ara-fo” women face the same issue: aging. They start worrying about loosing their figure and beauty. Late childbearing is another worry related to physical youth. “Your time being ‘a lady’ will be running out shortly. What should we do??” The drama asks women in the “ara-fo” generation to consider what they should do next to maintain their youth and happiness. The “ara-fo” women, who are trying to stay young and happy, look much better than men.
June 20 2008 09:22 am | Culture and Weekly Articles
