Man sues women's university over rejection

My initial response was that this is simply silly.

But, this individual does have a valid point. There are no other institutions that offer the course he is aiming to take in the price range he can afford, as well as within close proximity. If the university has a policy that is preferential selection then they should be required to at least consider his application before rejecting him.

If it was simply some misogynist trying to prove a point then that's a problem. But, this seems to be a valid case that needs to be considered by the university.

The fact that the majority of professors and the president of this University are male is a bigger issue and smacks of the gender issues prolific in Japanese society...and society in general.

If male-only colleges are not permitted, then neither should female-only, especially as a publicly funded institution. Privately funded institutions should, however, set their own admission requirements.

@Toshiko

I know this university. There are plenty of male lecturers there. Plenty of toilets for those of us of the masculine persuasion....

This dude has a point. I, too, must admit that it sounded a bit ridiculous at first - what would he want to do in a women's uni?

But, as the article states, this is a publicly run university and it is my firm belief that such institutions should aim for diversity - not preferential treatment. We are soon entering 2015, and this archaic stuff doesn't belong in the world anymore, not even in private institutions. Or perhaps it would be OK to open a university in Japan, only accepting applications from foreigners? How about an all-male university?

Who would want to the only guy in an all-women student body?

Would you rather she grow up wrapped in cottonwood and protected from all contact with nasty disrespectful demanding men...until she hits the grownup world/employment market, totally unprepared to cope and unable to hold her own?

my wife went to an all girls high school and university, and this is pretty much what she said. After so many years just dealing with women she didn't know how to interact with men so well.

Which turned out to be my fortune! She never saw me coming.

KagemushaDEC. 01, 2014 - 08:28AM "If it was simply some misogynist trying to prove a point then that's a problem."

Why would he be a misogynist for trying to prove a point? Why would you assume that if he were trying to prove a point that he would also hate women? I don't get it. Wouldn't you naturally assume he was trying to highlight the natural bias that exists in this institution? Or perhaps men are the enemy no matter what, hey?

I wonder why the director and the teachers are mostly male, shouldn't this institution lead the change and aim for a 50/50 quota of genres?.

Absolutely ridiculous and frivolous lawsuit. 500,000yen in damages, gimme a break.

Just go to a different prefecture like the other daigakusei.

"If requirements are based on a skill or aptitude or something measurable - yes."

The only qualifications to consider are: scholastic achievements and aptitude. Race, gender, age, etc are nothing short of discrimination. This is not about misogyny nor misandry.

@LaWren. You are being sexist. Women can have space within the university, others manage it fine, but to deny a man even consideration for a place because of his gender is wrong. What if he situation was reversed like it used to be, a woman denied a university place because of her gender? There is no place for segregation in an equal society. Your research is flawed. In the UK, for example, more women than men are in higher education, there are more women doctors and lawyers because of it. All degrees achieved at mixed gender universities. As I said, I wouldn't send my daughter to a single sex institution, she, and my son, have the right to a level playing field.

Japan is a sexist society, but discriminating because of gender isn't going to make it less sexist. I agree that there is too much emphasis on a woman's appearance, but again, discriminating against a man doesn't make it go away. Why do you describe the plaintiff as 'entitled'? This is the same sort of language that was used against women, blacks, asians, immigrants etc who wanted to improve their lot too. Your misandry is deeply unpleasant and it's a shame you want to pass that on to your children. Your daughter deserves a safe space yes, but that can be achieved without segregation.

Do I want my daughter to go to school with boys who have been raised to be disrespectful towards women. Not really.

Would you rather she grow up wrapped in cottonwood and protected from all contact with nasty disrespectful demanding men...until she hits the grownup world/employment market, totally unprepared to cope and unable to hold her own? I understand your desire to protect your daughter, but think you're doing her a disservice.

Let her practice on callow yoofs before she has to cope with the real wolves out there.

@LaWren: You've very vocal on this and I sympathize, however this is a public university.

The university either needs to give up the free handout (our taxes) that it receives as a public uni and go private... or make adjustments to accept everyone.

What if the top public schools only accepted males? Would you be OK with your daughter being denied the opportunity to study at the best schools (and therefore likely blocked from getting good job)? I have two daughters and I certainly would NOT.

I challenge this repeated assertion that girls do better in single sex schools. That used to be the case but now girls and women are achieving more than boys/men in non-segregated institutions. I hate segregation in society, albeit on gender, race or religious grounds.

@LaWren, it is obvious you have some deep issues here; Whatever they are and whatever facts we present here on this public forum are not going to change your mind...so all I can do is implore you to do more research on the facts before spouting off.

So, some facts:

1) This is a publicly funded university.

2) Article 14 makes it illegal to discriminate by gender in public spaces. (We're not talking about private homes, etc) (You may remember the story about a man on the "ladies only train" and there was nothing the train could do about it)

3) There are male staff. It is ludicrous to think there are no toilets for men. Unless you believe the male staff are sneaking into the girls' toilet?

4) There is not conclusive results that women learn better in all-female environments. There are a few token studies, but they only show some correlation, not fact. There may be other factors in play (such as class). The studies are not conclusive.

5) Even if 4 were true, there are male staff and males walking around the university (visiting friends/family). This school is mere minutes from downtown, after all.

@LaWren: What Stranger said; you are blatantly ignoring what people are saying to you. This is not a personal attack or insult. In fact, the "first thing I did" was try to explain to you what everyone else seems to clearly understand. You are simply not listening.

I'll summarize the debate on the table:

Can this school physically take in a male student? Does it have the infrastructure?

Is it legal for a public facility to discriminate by gender?

Is there any reason to segregate men and women in a public setting?

Nobody here has attacked women and, in fact, most have made it clear they have no problem with women only space, as private options.

Until you are ready to listen to what everyone else has been saying and debate with a clear head I am going to have to assume you are trolling- I don't feed trolls.

Again, I implore you, do some research on this.

When gender based segregation in eduction raises its head, the consequences are irrefutable, studies in human and family developmental theory found evidence of prejudice, stereotyping and gender bias, this manifests in later life as benevolent sexism, detrimental to personal and social growth especially for womens social mobility. In professions such as law, medicine, finance and accountancy, Civil service, applicants that attended gender based educational institutions were perceived to be lacking in essential communications skills to interact and inspire leadership. Misogyny is best combated by direct confrontation, full and active participation, inclusion in the need to be educated together as equals. Gender segregation in education leads to and perpetuates discrimination and sexism in society.

Some women are very shy, but they can succeed at an all women's school and blassom to their full potential.

It's interesting to see that a university promoting women is mainly run by men. I would have thought some of the former students would go back to the university to inspire the students. Personally I don't see the point of single sex universities. I doubt they are of any use to anyone.

Agree with others here:

As this is a public university, I have to agree that his case should at least be considered

If equal rights are something this country truly wants then it has to go both ways.

@LaWren

Wow! Blatant sexism. Let's justify racial segregation with stereotypes and demonization while we're at it...

women-hating mysogynist

This only strengthens my suspicion that people who are quick to throw the "mysogynist" label around are actually oblivious to what it means.

There's nothing about this situation that's misogynistic. It's a public school and I think his reasons for wanting to attend are completely understandable.

There is a difference between a public college or university and a private one. Just as there is a difference between a public office and a private office, there is a difference between a private school and a public school. There is a difference between a public bathroom for men and women. The key here is not a gender issue but the "right" for private organization to choose what kind of service they provide and to whom. No government or religion can dictate and force any private organization or institution to serve all just because a need for equality, equal opportunity, convenience, affordability and otherwise based on sex, race, color, religion and the law. It will be like forcing you to open your own bathroom to the public because it is the kind of bathroom the male or female public wants and needs in a particular area and space convenient and affordable to all surrounding your home.

Is it not?

There is a difference between a public college or university and a private one. Just as there is a difference between a public office and a private office, there is a difference between a private school and a public school. There is a difference between a public bathroom for men and women. The key here is not a gender issue but the "right" for private organization to choose what kind of service they provide and to whom. No government or religion can dictate and force any private organization or institution to serve all just because a need for equality, equal opportunity, convenience, affordability and otherwise based on sex, race, color, religion and the law. It will be like forcing you to open your own bathroom to the public because it is the kind of bathroom the male or female public wants and needs in a particular area and space convenient and affordable to all surrounding your home.

What's your point? It's a public university.

Actually, in Japan there isn't much difference. Most so-called "private" universities get government funding to some degree or another. Ditto for private high and junior high schools. Plus, students get government sponsored loans and scholarships to attend. If they were actually private, I would be more sympathetic.

Sympathetic with a truly private school or institution that then made decisions about who to admit or reject. IMHO if you take the public's money, then you take the public as customers/students.

An angle that hasn't been considered here is research that shows that female students do better in all-female institutions, while men do better in mixed institutions.

As a result there is research supporting the idea that "women-only" institutions are necessary in order to create the ideal conditions for female students, and that including men on the campus would disadvantage the female students.

Or to put it more simply, the inclusion of this male student would disadvantage the female students. If his inclusion comes at the price of the disadvantaging of others then this seems like an unreasonable request, and should be declined on these grounds.

That being said, this argument falls apart in this case because most of the faculty is apparently male.

LaWren, you think gender segregation is some sort of cure for misogyny?....Then we all might as well wear a Berka. You need to deal with your prejudice.

True equality is not the same thing as every person deserving equal access to every space, institution or group. It should mean taking into account the specific needs of specific groups and working to fulfill them. There is a need, and demand for women only higher education institutions. Women only schools pose no hardship to men. There are plenty of good schools for men to attend, where they are not behaving to the detriment of women who want to learn in this kind of all female environment. In particular it would be no hardship for this man not to be the only male in an all female space. I do wonder about his motives in this.

There have been countless studies in education and within the workplace, which are perfectly valid, that have showed how women are silenced by men, and nowhere more than Japan is it true that men are very much dominant in society and in any group situation. Men, in particular white men have enough privilege to be getting on with for now. So many men, even those who call themselves feminists, fail to recognise that sometimes they are doing the most good by not asserting themselves within all female spaces and organisations.

A lot of manpleasing women and antifeminist men have spouted a lot of hot air on this thread and only proved that the silencing of women with opinions never stops, sometimes the only way to stop being shouted over is to uninvite men. This school did that a long time ago, and it seems to work perfectly well for them. It would seem that one boy with only selfish thoughts in mind would put an end to that for them.

Really what I want to say is...there is a word for men forcing their way into where they are not wanted or welcomed. ...

Readers, this ends the bickering on this thread.

Hi LeWren I wish your daughter the best, if she takes after her Mother it's a positive start. If opinion about me was requested in my office, man pleasing would be bottom of the list, it's a male environment, having said that attitudes are changing. This man is a distraction to the real issues surrounding equality for women in a range of professions through opportunities afforded from access to the best Universities.

I worry that society as a whole will view single gender education at any level as a means to 'pigeon whole' so restricting access for women in a whole range of career opportunities. The responsibility lies with Schools, Colleges, Universities, leading by example and providing a learning environment free from the discriminatory intimidation you discribe.

Seriously this guy.

“We have 91 years of history as a women’s university with the mission of educating the next generation of female leaders, and this remains unchanged to this day,” the spokesman said.

The university’s website shows the majority of professors who teach there are male, as is the institution’s president.

Good to see the AFP understands irony...

Who would want to the only guy in an all-women student body?

No shortage of volunteers there!

Good for him, I hope he wins. This gender segregation, and the perceived ideas as to what are female or male studies/jobs, do nothing to help promote female, and in this case, male equality. I wouldn't let my daughter attend a single sex school, let alone pay for her to go to a women only university - what sort of signal does that send out to girls and young women?

**Who would want to the only guy in an all-women student body?

No shortage of volunteers there!**

,....and this is why all female places of education are important. Because of entitled men who look at women as sex objects not intellectual equals. Do I want my daughter to go to school with boys who have been raised to be disrespectful towards women. Not really. She could cope, but she should not have to, if she doesnt want to.

I do not hate men. I am realistic about male privilege, and women who excuse it or ignore it are letting their daughters down.

This is a historically all-female space, and this lone male is trying to force his way into it, against the will of the women there. A decent man would go elsewhere. But then I teach my sons no means no.

What is deeply unpleasant is this male-dominated society which objectifies young women in a very disturbing way. For this all-female place of higher education to be forced to accept men is not the best thing for the young women, and does not give a good message to the men in question - that they can demand and shout and threaten and get what they want, even if it is not what the female majority desire.

I went to an all girls school and I did absolutely fine. Girls do not leave these places less confident, but more confident in themselves and their abilities and not distracted or shouted down. I believe all girls, not just my daughter, deserve the choice. The choice which ONE young man would deny them for his own selfish reasons.

Ild rather my daughter went somewhere to concentrate on learning, very expensive learning at that, not to worry if she is looking nice, or if she is going to seem like a "real character" if she dares have an opinion. Ild much rather she wasnt as tough as me.

Sympathetic with what? This article is about a public university

lmao at the people that think that women need a segregated area to perform well. If that is true then we need to have only segregated universities. Sound absurd enough yet?

@scipon; There are already men only U and C in Japan,

@Mod: thank you.

On topic: what would the university have to lose if it decided to privatize? Does anyone know what kind of money the government gives to a public vs private school?

!#Eeucator: I have grand nieces who graduated from Japanese U and they studied in U/sa because they could not get into <Men's U in Japan for what they want to study, Also, II have researxh profewssors in my sivlings in Japan ansd do g do gossip about Univ life. Not in /Fukuoka but ///tokyo and Kyoto. Ghe I]Univ employ more makes because easy rto hire makes than females and discriminating females in Japan. There are make only U and C in Japan. They are not popular as Keio and Waseda graduates are valued in corporations, especially banks.

@JTL Of cause majority of professors are men in Japan. Women do not get jobs easily in Japan. Now a man started to invade further to increase women's future. down. Are there any Univ that has female professors as many as male professors??? This is in misology Japan. Haven't you heard female college grad can not get jobs in Japan? Even their parents own the corporation, daughters of their head can not get a job in a company. Female professors in Japan> Not too often,

Privately funded institutions should, however, set their own admission requirements.

Disagree there beacause... How far can you take that? If requirements are based on a skill or aptitude or something measurable - yes. If based on sex or (perceived - there is no such thing, after all) race or nationality - no.

Public instition run with our public taxes....open it up to males please. Also, ad a zero on his damage request. Then he can pay a private school.

Toilet rooms teachers and students toilet building in diferent areas. So, U will get badget for this boy. If he is under 19 yrs old, he can sue. Then he will take Sa-hou classes to learn how to behave like a house wife that include how to face their husband with theiir children on New Years Day visiting day, etc/ Needle sewing every day 5 unit a week. PUBLIC u HAVE MORE FEMALE TYPE STUDY THAn private U where girls can learn even technology and datings are not prohibited.

By the way I am no manhater. I love men. I enjoy male company and Im raising my sons to be respectful and decent, not entitled misogynists. Young men are taught this behavior. Ild never let a son of mine demand entry to an all female space, whether it was an all female place of education, a lesbian bar, or an all female support group. There are some spaces where it is better for women that men do not go - and like Frungy said, women do better without men in an educational environment. There are many mixed schools for this young man to choose from, and public money provides very little opportunity for girls, whose parents also pay taxes, to have the option of going somewhere all-female. While it would be better if there were more women in the faculty, at least their peers are all female. In short, it is better than nothing.

Good men respect that. Entitled women haters, put themselves wheresoever they want to be even if it is to the detriment of women and only to the benefit of themselves and other men. Patriarchy. It is an undeniable reality.

Attitudes like yours, Kaynide, prove why it is important to have female only spaces in education as an option. A woman a strong, supportible opinion and you immediately go for the personal insult and suggest that I have "strong issues" aka crazy. Which is what men usually say to women when women say things that they dont like.

Still, some men are still going to force their way into places they are not wanted, because that is just what badly educated, badly raised, rude young men without a thought for what is best for women, do. Their wants come above other's needs.

This man sounds like a women-hating misogynist. He could go somewhere else, like every other male in the area does. Women only spaces should be protected, and it offered as an option. Males are not generally at risk from females, but someone who aggressively pursues being the only male in an all female environment could easily be seen as a threat. Young women, especially those who seek out a male-free environment, should have that request honored.

The playing field, especially in Japan, which is the most anti-female country I have ever had the displeasure to be in, is not level. It is extremely pro-male biased. See all those awards for "best dressed", nicest jeanist..whatever...that is what Japanese young women are fighting against. They should be concentrating on their education, not pleasing men.

My daughter deserves a safe space to learn in a female environment, or at least that choice to have that if she so wishes, a choice which men like this entitled individual would deny girls like her.

What about St Hilda's? Hildebeestes were a very well adjusted, successful group of girls.

You cant oppress the oppressors. Sexism against women is so deeply embedded, especially in Japan, that women only spaces like this which give young women the opportunity to learn without demanding men like this entitled individual, are vital.

There are other places he can go to be in a mixed environment, but he has to insist he goes where he is not wanted. There is a word for that.

Have you visited female only colleges or male only colleges? Have you noticed toilet rooms ? If this Univ accept this man. Univ has to biuild boys; rest room, If they increase female instructors, it has to build boys rest room, etc. When Gen Mac made Japan to have publux coed, Puv lic U added one female acceptance. You had to look like and behave like a boy. I was rejected (1950) and I told my basketball playing classmate to talk like boy and Univ had to accept two. My friend complained to that they had to use boys; bathroom. That was a long time ago so maybe there is a separate toilet room for this man> Maybe there is no mandatory hand sewing classes there? Japanewse female colleges train students to be high society wives, too.

It is all about misogyny. Men need to accept there are some spaces in which they are not welcome and women would like to learn or just be, while not having to deal with them. To force these women to have one lone male in their space is an aggressive act.

There should be an option in higher education for women to explore issues and ideas without the overbearing influence of the patriarchy and thinking and without having to pander to men or edit themselves intellectually to please men, whether they do it consciously or otherwise.

Research has consistently shown men dominate discussion and women defer in decision making, whether consciously or not.

This kind of aggressive equality does not benefit women. There are plenty of mixed educational institutions if that is what this person wants, there is no need to invade a historically female space.