The Voice of Women in Higher Education: Current Perspectives of Students in Germany, Japan and Taiwan. A Contrastive Analysis of Western and Eastern Perceptions of Women Empowerment and Gender Roles Among Students

Abstract

In recent years, women empowerment has become a focus of attention, and the world is paying increased attention to women’s education and its connection to power, status and equal opportunities. This chapter is a comparative study of women’s education, influence and social standing in Germany, Taiwan, and Japan. In Asia, Taiwan has females playing an active role in society, while Japan is still facing some challenges. By comparing such contrasting Asian countries with Germany, a Western country, the research explores what young people—female and male university students—think of the status quo of women in student and working life. The study’s method of research is to carry out a survey among undergraduate and graduate students from both genders at universities in Germany, Taiwan, and Japan with regard to the education, the status and empowerment of women in all areas of society. The survey questionnaire addresses aspects ranging from women’s behaviour, expectations, requirements and challenges at university to ‘female’ roles, projections, needs and pitfalls on the job and within the family. Gender-specific analyses of the replies will be contrasted with the aim of identifying underlying similarities and differences in the mindsets of female and male students. Based on the results, further expert interviews are conducted to confirm the findings, to close potential research gaps and to compare the results among the three countries. The values and attitudes of the young generations as well as understanding these better will certainly be the key to future improvements in women empowerment.

Appendices

Appendices

Table A1 Number of respondents by question

Table A2 Six open-ended questions

Fig. A1

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 1 What is the expectation from women in your country’s society?’

Fig. A2

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 2 What do you think is unequal between men and women in your country?’

Fig. A3

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 3 How could/should this inequality be addressed in your opinion?’

Fig. A4

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 4 What is the key to (more) gender equality from your perspective?’

Fig. A5

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 13 How would you describe the current professional situation of women in your country?’

Fig. A6

Interactive quote matrix by gender of ‘Question 13 How would you describe the current professional situation of women in your country?’

Fig. A7

Interactive quote matrix of ‘Question 15 How would you describe the current status and power of working women in your country?’