The term "Gender", which was not very common in a while ago, has been gradually becoming familiar to people today. On the other hand, "Gender" has also received a negative image by mass media. In particular, since the enforcement of Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society, the criticism has been made on the notion of a "Gender Free" ideology. It is argued from the mass media perspective that "Gender Free" is a vicious ideology that that invalidates the importance of fixed gender roles among human beings and dismantles the traditions of Japanese society.
However, those who insist that "Gender Free" has never tried to desexualize men and women nor has never completely denied "feminine" and "masculine" value, are often criticized by some of the media. Those criticized simply insist that the "Gender Free" ideology questions the current society that accept only two ways of living, "Feminine" and "Masculine", and argue that more diverse ways should be accepted.
There are many approaches to "Gender Studies". For example, some research the legal inequality in married life, some question the meaning of "love", or even the categories of "men" and "women". Regardless of the specific issue in question, those who engage in "Gender Studies" must be able to cooperate because they have one thing in common; they believe that Gender IS the thing they should think about now.
For example, suppose that you are in love with somebody and thinking about getting married with him or her. That is great! But, there are people who think, question and struggle about why people can marry with only with those of the opposite sex. Why only "one-to-one" marriage? Why people have to register their marriage? Why men and women are treated unequally in marriage life? We would like to study together in order to eliminate prejudice against those who have all kinds of different values from yours, and on reflection, to review your own life again.
(This article has been appeared in the pamphlet of the Lecture of Mizuho Fukushima, May 7, 2004)