Reconsideration of “Motherhood” in Contemporary Japan

Abstract

In this paper, the author reconsiders “motherhood” in Japan. This reconsideration is based on Japanese psychoanalytic knowledge and a case study of a woman. As a child she was physically abused by her father, and struggled throughout her life with conflicts with her mother. The Japanese have historically idealized the concept of “motherhood” and maintained that it was possible for women to become the ideal mother for their children. The author maintains that “motherhood” is not dependent only on mothers, but is created and shared by fathers, children and all of society. In psychotherapy, the therapist provides a “motherly” energy to the client and shares the “motherhood” fantasy with the client to a certain extent. The therapist assists the client in the gradual process of abandoning the desire to be loved by the ideal mother and accept “motherhood” from other sources.