'He who knows only one country knows no country' - @FukuyamaFrancis

It's so true!

For instance, theories of US/ Western women's rising share of top jobs usually emphasise growth, demand for workers, women's education, falling fertility, & rising aspirations

BUT..
All that has happened in Japan

Yet there are still HUGE gender pay gaps (25%) & a dearth of women in management & leadership.

West-centric theories tend to downplay its unique attributes: more liberal courts, flexible labour markets, & lower work hours (enabling mothering).
When studying X in the USA, it may seem sensible to spend limited time reading studies on the USA.

But, speaking for myself, I learn sooooo much more about any one country by considering why it is unlike other places.

Huge gains to reading widely, imo.
I'm increasingly sceptical of studies of individual characteristics, eg whether a woman has a job

Given huge gender pay gaps in 🇯🇵, a job doesn't secure a woman's status & autonomy as in 🇪🇺.

She remains dependent, hence few divorces

The relative (not absolute) position matters
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