Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: Sir/Madam:

Greeting!

We are Mass Communication Students from the Philippines and we would like an international expert’s opinion regarding the sociological aspects of Filipino women entertainers in Japan for our Journalism class.

Every year thousands of Filipino women go to Japan to work as entertainers. Although these women create huge revenues for the Philippines, they are discriminated for their unusual way of earning money. This interview seeks to know the sociological factors and implications of becoming an entertainer.

We are hoping for your affirmative response.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Michelle Paz

Questionnaires:
1.      What is the reason why Filipino women come to Japan to work as entertainers?
2.      How would you compare the mindset between women working in Japan and women working here in the Philippines but having the same kind of job, as entertainers?
3.      Is the entertainment industry important in a society?
4.      Why does the society look down on entertainers?
5.      What is the sociological effect if the entertainers are unaccepted by the society?
6.      How does a Filipino women working as an entertainer in Japan affect her family in the Philippines?
7.      How does the Filipina cope with the social discrimination of being an entertainer?
8.      How does her family cope with the social discrimination?
9.      In the case of Japan, why do the Japanese women tolerate their husbands in going to these night clubs?
10.  What is the role of the Japanese men to their families?
11.  How does a father going to night clubs affect his family?
12.  Most of the Filipino women entertainers come home to the Philippines successful, what is the sociological effect of this to their fellow Filipino?
13.  Filipinos are known to be conservative regarding social issues but in a thriving entertainment industry will they be opening their minds to accept entertainers? Why?

ANSWER: Hi Michelle,

Before I can answer these questions I have two for you. These are for clarification:

1) by entertainer do you mean Sex Worker?
2) What is the average age of these women?

An entertainer could be a singer, a dancer, musician etc... So, it is important that these distictions are clarified.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi sir! there is a wide variety of entertainers in Japan and some singers may be earning extra income through becoming a sex worker by night. and for your second question, the average age of these women ranges from 20-30 years old.

Answer
1) they are well paid (in relative terms)
2) I don't know, I am unfamiliar with similar activities between the two.
3) It can generate a great deal of money, both on the open market but also on the grey and black market (prostitution)
4) That depends on the nature of the entertainment.  With prostitution, it is an illegal activity in some places but accepted in others.  
5) I do not understand the question
6) Chances are she is able to send a fair amount back home to help support the family.
7) If prostitution is involved then the individual may  try to hide this activity
8) If the family finds out that the individual is involved in prostitution, the individual may shun the woman which would force her to find alternative living situations or worse.
9) Because Japanese men "can do no wrong" and since they are the primary bread winners and women are subserviant, they can  get away with a lot.
10) They are the father of the children and maker of money but are not tightly tied into the family.
11) It takes away from family time but this may be acceptable or accepted while not appreciated.
12) It creates a false demand which can lead to other problems such as HIV infections etc..
13) Prostitution may never be accepted because of the stigma placed on it by the church.