Women-Only Trains: Relic of the Past Or Way Of The Future?

5:00 pm, February 9th | by Rebecca Srulowitz

Last week we wrote that women take public transportation far more than men. Today, we found out that this year marks the 100^th anniversary of women-only trains in Japan.

The primary reason the Atlantic gives for the existence of these separate train lines is to protect women against sexual harassment. Who knew? But apparently Tokyo is a “groping Mecca” (two-thirds of young women who live their have been harassed on trains).

I’m not an expert on the statistics for sexual harassment in the New York public transit system, but let’s imagine for a moment that they’re staggeringly high (a safe assumption, no?). Even so, New Yorkers would never stand for separating one gender from another. It’s a little bit odd that Japan would maintain a relic of the past in order to avoid a problem instead of simply creating more of a police presence in order to face a problem and eliminate it head on.

TAGS: single-gender transportation | single-sex transportation

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AVT7HESR7BYR6DF5Y47X2RV2KU mark

great idea. until then, can you then ask the ladies to please refrain from putting on your full makeup in the morning ON THE TRAIN! happens all the time, often when i am facing them in a crowded train. when did this move from the realm of disgusting behavior??
Anonymous

http://lnk.co/IHOTL
RH

When was putting on make up ever a digusting behaviour?
Anonymous

I agree. These things are not a cure to harassment, they’re just a brief respite. Women-only cars only operate in the mornings and after work, and for the rest of the day they’re open to the public. There’s still plenty of times to be groped.

And yes, Japan is lousy with groping and … indecent exposure. I deem it a result of their still very sexist society.
Anonymous

In america and most western countries women-only trains would be simply unconstitutional for good reasons.
Maybe it could become legal if also men-only cars are offered, as there are separate but equal space provided for public bathrooms.
Interestingly, removing a man by force from the women-only train car in japan would violate constitution too. In fact, even in japan train cars provided only for women are unconstitutional and its completely volunteer in men to respect this rule, its just recommendation.

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