「女性を対象とした結婚に関するオンライン調査 （J-WAMs）」の結果報告

This paper discusses the results of an online questionnaire conducted in 2022 on Japanese women’s attitudes toward marriage (J-WAMs). This is a preliminary study for developing a marriage index (Maridex) to analyze the discriminatory structure of the marriage system in Japan. While it is widely recognized that social systems and structures have an impact on discrimination against women, we must consider structural factors other than modern capitalism and industrialization as the cause of this discrimination in Japan. We assume that one of the causes of this discrimination in Japan is in the marriage system; and that the marriage system itself reproduces discrimination against women. Japanese cultural norms and ways of thinking about love and marriage supports this discrimination system. The preliminary survey targeted 560 women aged 20 to 59 and inquired on participants demographic characteristics, their views on marriage and income, their reasons for marriage,and their associations with love and marriage. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and text mining. The results show the uniqueness of the responses of participants in their 20s compared to other age groups, and significant differences depending on marital status, such as: married, divorced, and single. For people in their 20s, “shotgun marriages (Deki-kon)” will be a “normal” reason of marriage (in 1990’s,it was not “normal marriage”), simply because there are many couples who marry “after having a baby.” While there are young people who are concerned about the financial burden of marriage, there are also those who feel “benefits other than money” regarding marriage. This paper examines these diversities of views and opinions on marriage varied by status and age groups.