Culture differences between Eorzea and the Far East.

[Drej]

This is something I've been thinking about for awhile, mainly in regards to Yotsuyo's tragic upbringing.

 

We know that in Eorzea, there's pretty much nothing standing in the way of gender equality. While I definitely see more of a classic "medieval"-style in Ishgard, most of Eorzea seems to have no issue with letting its women be in positions of power, soldiers, warriors, ect. There also seems to be more of a focus on social class than gender when it comes to positions one can hold in society.

 

When we get to the Far East, we learn that Yotsuyo was kept as a slave by her step-parents and stepbrother pretty much her entire life. Then presumably when she was barely past whatever the age of consent is over there, she's married off to an abusive drunk and then later sold to a brothel. 

 

I'm wondering if there's a culture difference in regards to how women are viewed. From what I've seen, everything appears to be reminiscent of real-world Asia - predominantly male-dominated. At the same time, I don't remember reading or meeting any NPCs that explicitly say "women aren't allowed to do X and Y". They seem to have no issue with the Scion ladies doing stuff, and everyone loves Yugiri. Hien's fine with women being on his force. 

 

Where I'm confused is why, when Yotsuyo was growing up/possibly in her twenties, she seemed to have no agency or any freedom to do as she wished. Is it common in this universe to sell young women to brothels whenever you want? If so, seems a little bit...archaic for this world, even in the Far East. I also find it strange that no one even objected to this girl's treatment, as if it were something natural. It all kind of sounds like a scenario you'd see in feudal Japan or early China, where women certainly weren't valued and those scenarios probably did happen frequently. I understand that Yotsuyu was more than likely cowed into being subordinate by her family, but what would have happened if she had run away? Would she be able to find employment elsewhere? Move to Eorzea? If the parents chased her in the interest of getting their moneymaker/slave back, would people just let them take her? 

 

I'm hoping this all makes sense. If I were going to play a Doman female character, I'd want to know a bit of backstory for the place and the culture differences as compared to Eorzea. I don't want to assume it's based off of one Asian culture or the other, but the information I have is a little confusing.

Edited July 10, 2018 by Drej

[Valence]

I remember having seen women in the Seikisegumi and positions of power, in Hingashi... Also the far east has Geikos (geishas), which can probably play in favor of that woman trade being valued in some ways. Which is basically the same than Eorzea with its (miqo'te or not) dancers and just all the women we've seen in a state of sexual slavery all over the place, especially in Limsa. 

 

It is also hard to draw blanket generalities out of a specific case. But in any case I don't seem to see much different with Eorzea, and gender equality in Eorzea doesn't mean that women aren't generally a lot more subject to mistreatment and abuse than men, which definitely seem to be the case.

Edited July 10, 2018 by Valence

[Hollow]

30 minutes ago, Valence said:

Which is basically the same than Eorzea with its (miqo'te or not) dancers and just all the women we've seen in a state of sexual slavery all over the place, especially in Limsa. 

 

I'm pretty sure that all the dancers you see are employed as such. There's a quest on near Limsa where you have to check on a new dancing girl who coming to audition, and there's a dance quest in Ul'dah where the dancer tries to apprentice to a ballroom dance instructor because she wants to do something different (and winds up deciding to become an adventurer instead).

 

There is some slavery mentioned, with 'pleasure barges' and such, but that's all illegal and pirate activity that wouldn't be done openly in Eorzea.

[Valence]

Î didn't say that dancers are in a state of sexual slavery (although 1.0 lore history around the miner's guild will disagree with you here), I mentioned dancers on one hand, and all the women we've seen in sexual slavery on another. 

 

Also no, Pillow Houses in Uld'ah and Pleasure Barges in Limsa are everything but illegal, much like the brothels and pleasure houses of the Far East. The people that work here are "employed" as well, with all the implications that come with it.

 

What's illegal in Eorzea is human trafficking, and I would honestly be surprised to see the latter authorized in Doma either, except under Garlean occupation, and that's the crux of the matter if we are to talk about Doman customs with Yotsuyu as an example: this happened during the early occupation, where trafficking was heavily condoned by the Empire as a way of cheap labor, prostitution, military manpower, etc, exactly like it has been the case for Ala Migho in Eorzea.

 

 

Edit: actually maybe not during the occupation...? I am not sure she grew up during it? Maybe? How  old is she?

Edited July 11, 2018 by Valence

[Tregarde]

Sexism and gender inequality does exist in Eorzea & the East, just not to the extent that it is/was historically on Earth. There are plenty of examples where men are shown favoritism over women if you pay attention. Sometimes it's very subtle, but it's there. Still, things in general are more equal, just not entirely equal.