Graduate Story: "What pGSS Taught Me"

After writing my senior thesis under the supervision of Professor Natsumi Ikoma, I graduated from ICU with a pGSS major in 2008. I have been in the workforce for five years now. Although my pGSS studies do not directly relate to my current profession, there are two significant aspects in which they have had an impact in my life as a whole.

First, pGSS taught me to see the corporate world from the perspective of gender and sexuality. The company I work for supports labor union activities for the creation of a good work environment. Even through working in the Sales Division, I have opportunities to contribute to the creation of an environment that encourages women to continue working. Moreover, as I go about my daily tasks at work, pGSS helps me think about the problems of Japanese corporate life and what needs to be done about them.

The promotion of gender equality and diversity is a crucial challenge for many Japanese companies today. With the declining labor force, the falling birthrate, and an aging population, there is a growing need for organizations that allow for a diverse working population, irrespective of gender, age, or household circumstances. Companies are developing systems and implementing measures to tackle hitherto hidden or marginalized issues in corporate life, such as child rearing and nursing care. Despite this, there have been few tangible achievements, which could be because these endeavors have been limited by the normative male/female dichotomy. I think that a gendered perspective on corporate life will empower us to change the way we work and the relationship between companies and their employees.

Second, pGSS has helped me understand not only the corporate world but the wider society of which it is a part, and how I live within that society. In my daily life, I am sometimes angered by the difficulties and irrationalities of being a "woman." At such times, the perspectives and approaches I acquired through pGSS have been my friends. Developing our awareness of the constructs of gender and sex with which we are surrounded and which we have internalized can give rise to various conflicts and struggles. However, I think that gender and sexuality studies has at its roots a very warm, generous view of humanity that accepts each person as an individual. That is why it appeals to me and why I feel that therein lies a hope for the betterment of the society we live in today. Each day I try to bring theory into practice by thinking about what I can do in my position to contribute to the question: What can we do to help forge a society that allows people to be themselves?