“The figures of the new woman and the modern girl were also transnational figures, becoming the focus of attention in various countries from the late 19th century to the early 20th century,” Mackie says. “In each of these countries, the emergence of the figures of the new woman and the modern girl reflected changes in gender relations in those societies.”
The arrival of modern girls in Japan can be traced back to the evolution of women’s role in society. As the population moved away from rural life and into cities, young women also gained more financial freedom and independence while working in service industry roles away from their families.
Benefiting from compulsory education that had been introduced during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), these women had more employment opportunities and, therefore, money. This afforded the women the luxury to push boundaries with their clothing and their pastimes.
Source: ‘Modern girls’: Japan’s first recognizable youth culture movement | The Japan Times
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