Global COE Program - Kyoto University - In Search of Sustainable Humanosphere in Asia and Africa

Date: November 4, 2008 (Tue.) 11:00-17:00PM
Venue: AA447, Research Building No.2, Yoshida Campus, Kyoto University

Presentation:
・Taeko Udagawa (Associate Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)
・Hideki Sunagawa (Jissen Woman's University)
・Masako Kudo (University of Tokyo)
・Nanami Suzuki (Professor, National Museum of Ethnology)



【Record of Activity】
At this symposium, four speakers introduced interesting cases concerning new “relationships” that are not easily grasped under existing ideas of kinship. What’s common in these cases is, as pointed out by Professor Yoko Hayami in the general discussion period, the fact that individuals who “choose” new relationships exist and that they are faced with a number of constraints from the existing society and legal system.

In the case of same-sex partnership, reported by Dr. Sunagawa, because of their demand to be accepted by society, and due to the legal restrictions they face in their daily life, , many choose to become relatives through adoption instead of marrying. On the other hand however, if same-sex marriage is legally allowed, alternative relations that same-sex couples have created may be excluded.

Dr. Udagawa reported the institutionalization of safe reproductive technologies in Itary and mentioned that such process can result in a situation where people who want these technologies no longer have access to them. In addition, the “choices” of individuals can be affected by society’s moral values for families and new “relationships.”
Citing cases involving an international marriage with a Pakistani husband and international adoption, Dr. Wakana Shiino suggested in her comments the need for further examination of the social background that produces such “relationships.”

In this symposium the potential of new “relationships” to complement family and kinship ties was introduced. One participant expressed the view that these negative aspects should be discussed as well. Additionally, the loose relationship of being together without any specific reason and “unsavory ties” are also important forms of human relationships, along with strong ties. Another participant also mentioned the need for discussion on filling the gap of the binary framework of blood relationship/ideal relationship based on individuals’ choices. Moreover, as Professor Masakazu Tanaka said in his comments, an important key for examining this issue would be, instead of capturing new “relationships” as a representation of actual existence, to investigate the process of formation of those relationships.

(Masato Kasezawa)