In Banyan's article, East Asia's "demographic crisis" indicates that East Asia will be facing some dilemnas if behaviors and attitudes continue to resist change. I agree with this and Ogburn's coined term 'cultural lag" describes how economic needs and changes in society continue to evolve in East Asia, while the cultural behaviors and attitudes are somewhat slower in their evolvement. This unequal gender dividend seems to happen in many cultures, but due to East Asia keeping their fertility rates at an all time low the impact is much greater for them. I find it interesting to learn that East Asian countries are so advanced in particular areas, yet so affected by their "cultural lag." The idea of women having to give up their career to have children or delaying marriage because of this seems so antiquated. It seems that cultural behaviors in terms of gender equity need to catch up in Esat Asian societies so that more women start seeing careers, marriage and child rearing as attractive choices. The pressure for change is on!
