Family sociology
Social research method
TAKAHASHI Kanae
Starting year 2025
Meijyo University
Faculty of Human Studies
Assistant Professor
Research fields
Research Interests
Family
Parenting
Life Course Decisions
Role Conflict
Youth Subculture
Professional Memberships
The Japan Society of Family Sociology
Japanese Council on Family Relations
International Society for Gender Studies
The Kantoh Sociological Society
Tokai Sociological Society
Main research topics
What does it mean to be “motherly”? This study reexamines contemporary norms of motherhood in Japan by focusing on “Gal-mamas”—women who embrace Gal-style fashion while raising children. Gal mamas are regarded as distinct from other mothers in Japan. In other words, my study attempts to analyze the normative image of motherhood in society by examining an existence viewed as non-normative.
My analysis of Gal-mama narratives and magazines reveals that Gal-mamas—who at first glance appear to be living free from existing motherhood norms—have, in fact, internalized them and take on the role of mothers with reference to them. In Japanese society, the norm that mothers should devote themselves to their children remains deeply rooted.
The findings of these studies have led to several questions. For example, there is a need to re-examine the independence process. While Gal-mamas expressed a desire for early separation from home (living away from their parents) and family formation (marriage and childbearing), they also showed a weaker awareness of career development in terms of the transition from school to employment. Most existing studies on independence have focused on school transitions, and the long-term independence process and its diversity have not yet been fully clarified. As many young people face difficulties in becoming independent owing to their socioeconomic circumstances, it is important to elucidate these independent processes.
Alternatively, there is a relationship between school experiences and child-rearing practices.
The Gal-mamas had negative attitudes toward schooling and school culture because of their own experiences of not fitting in school, which was reflected in their child-rearing practices. The question of what kinds of parents people with past experiences become has also been rarely considered. Elucidating these issues may make it possible to explain differences in attitudes and practices in child rearing and education from not only an economic perspective but also other aspects.
Representative papers
Kanae Takahashi, Being a Gal and a Mother: Conflicts of Selfhood and Motherhood, Koyo Shobo, 2024
Research URL
Researchmap Kanae Takahashi – My portal – researchmap
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