What do you think about shotgun weddings?

It depends who the shotgun is pointed at. At me? No I don't like 'em.

Mine was ok. Just filling out some forms at the shiyakusho and then a wait of 30 minutes. We're reasonably happy now, though I have to work hard not to have a wandering eye, for the sake of the children.

In Japan, they seem to happen more in showbiz than among ordinary people. I suppose because abortions are so prevalent, there isn't much pressure to get married after a woman falls pregnant.

I think it's a horrible idea. IMO it will just cause more problems in the long run. You can still be there as a father even though you don't actually live there. Nothing should ever be forced!!

Historically, in many countries being born on the wrong side of the bedsheets used to carry with it real social stigma that individuals carried with them throughout their lives.

However, this doesn't seem to be the case in modern Japan. All you have to do is read the entertaiment section of JT to realize that shotguns in this country seem to be par for the course. At the same time, however, attitudes regarding divorce seem to be pretty lax. In other words, last year's shotgun is often this year's divorce. This cannot be good for society in general.

Moreover, I cannot believe how many people in this country get into a shotgun at such young ages. Leaving arguments of marriage aside for a moment, I would question how well prepared 18 and 19 year olds are to take care of their own children. Of course, in Japan there has traditionally been a strong orientation towards extended families (and grandparents acting as volunteer babysitters), however, you have to wonder if having kids at such a young age is a wise socio-economic option.

it's shot-gun-nai

they are great. very nice all round

Are shotguns common in Japan?

It's only a shotgun wedding (deki-kon) if they decide to bring her pregnancy to term. As often or not, they go the mizuko route.

Nothing wrong with a shotgun wedding at all, as long as the couple are doing for the right reasons. If they get married just because the guy has to be seen to be "taking responsibility" for it, then I'm against it 100%. The guy can still help with the parenting without them getting married. Getting married just because a kid happens along is a recipe for disaster.

What I think is that a brief explanation for that question is in order. The basic meaning of "shotgun wedding" is a wedding where one or both people getting married are forced, and a pregnancy does not need to exist for that situation.

A more compelling question would be: What is better translation of dekichatta kekkon? I suggest pot-belly matrimony.

Anyway, I don't care if the bride is pregnant or not. I just hope they got more reasons than the pregnancy to get married.

"The basic meaning of "shotgun wedding" is a wedding where one or both people getting married are forced, and a pregnancy does not need to exist for that situation.

A more compelling question would be: What is better translation of dekichatta kekkon? I suggest pot-belly matrimony".

A shotgun wedding is a wedding that results from an unplanned pregnancy. You might Wiki of use here, it's only a few taps of your keyboard away.

Pot-belly matrimony sounds something that could be confused with beer-belly matrimony? And I think that would be absolutely horrible.

It all depends on who is holding the shotgun!