The Salaryman identity as an ideal for nationalism and success
As mentioned in Disgupta’s essay, there is an underlying hegemony that many try to achieve and constitutes what a majority would consider successful factors (Disgupta 191). These factors are typically heterosexual, white male, and working class. However, this is an ideal that many people strive for yet cannot measure up or achieve completely (Disgupta 191). However, because it is associated with success in terms of financial gain, it is a nationalistic identity that capitalistic Japan may strive for.
This hegemony has been developed into the Japanese society and formed the Salaryman identity. By contributing their labor and being part of the economic workforce, these salarymen are not only able to support their country, but also be the main source of income for his family. (Nemeth 15). Supporting a nuclear heterosexual family and also contributing to the direct success of Japan as a capitalistic country almost fulfills the hegemony that is said to determine success. This makes the salaryman a notable nationalistic identity, and one that Japanese society tries to fulfill in order to achieve perfection.
However, the salaryman is a mode of perfection that cannot be easily achieved by a Japanese civilian. Those who become salaryman sometimes feel that they must put on a performance, and societal norms push this identity onto males who may not feel satisfied when they conform (Disgupta 192). This dehumanizes the male, and also can be unhealthy physically because labor is put before individual enacting the labor, causing them to be overworked.
Sources:
Dasgupta, Romit. "Performing Masculinities? The 'Salaryman' at Work and Play." Academia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://www.academia.edu/3691372/Performing_Masculinities_The_Salaryman_at_Work_and_Play>.
Nemeth, Barbara. "Masculinities in Japan." (2014): n. pag. Web. 27 Apr. 2017. <http://theses.cz/id/w3ov0n/Diplomova_Praca_Barbara_Nemeth.pdf>.