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英検1級 二次 予想トピック 70 ・ 🏠 暮らし・家族・消費 ・ Is ~?

Is it time for Japan to allow married couples to keep separate surnames?

日本は、夫婦が別々の姓を名乗ることを認めるべき時期に来ているか。

このトピックを選ぶべき人

選択的夫婦別姓の議論をニュースで追っていて、家族のあり方について話せる人向け。

骨組み理由3つ（どちらの立場でも話せる）

賛成（Yes）で話すなら

I believe it is time for Japan to allow married couples to choose to keep separate surnames.

  1. equalityIn practice, it is usually the woman who changes her surname when a couple marries. This can feel unfair and may harm her sense of identity.
  2. careersChanging one's name causes practical problems at work, such as updating documents and losing recognition built up over the years. Researchers, for example, may find it hard to link their past achievements to their new name.
  3. global standardsJapan is said to be the only country that legally requires married couples to share the same surname. Offering a choice would bring Japan in line with other countries and respect individual freedom.

反対（No）で話すなら

I don't believe Japan needs to change the system right now.

  1. family unityMany people feel that a shared surname is a symbol of family unity. Changing the system could weaken this sense of togetherness.
  2. children's namesIf parents have different surnames, it may be difficult to decide which name the children should take. Children might also feel confused or face questions at school.
  3. existing solutionsPeople can already use their maiden names at work in many situations. Expanding this practice could solve most practical problems without changing family law.

想定質疑面接委員はこう突っ込んでくる

QCouldn't using maiden names at work solve the problem?

It helps to some extent, I admit. However, using two names causes confusion, especially with official documents such as passports and bank accounts. And it doesn't solve the deeper issue that one person is still required to give up their legal name.

Q：職場で旧姓を使えば、問題は解決できるのでは？
A：ある程度役に立つことは認めます。しかし、2つの名前を使い分けると、特にパスポートや銀行口座といった公的な書類で混乱が起きます。それに、どちらか一方が法律上の名前を手放さなければならないという根本的な問題は解決しません。

QWouldn't children be confused if their parents had different surnames?

That's a common concern. However, in many countries, children grow up with parents who have different surnames, and it doesn't seem to cause major problems. What matters most to children is a loving family, not a shared name.

Q：両親の姓が違うと、子どもが混乱しませんか。
A：よく聞かれる懸念です。しかし多くの国では、子どもは姓の違う両親のもとで育っていて、大きな問題にはなっていないようです。子どもにとっていちばん大切なのは、同じ名前ではなく愛情のある家族です。

QWhy do you think this debate has taken so long in Japan?

I think it's partly because some people strongly value traditional ideas about the family. Also, the people who change their names are mostly women, who are still underrepresented in politics. As more women take part in decision-making, I expect the debate to move forward.

Q：日本でこの議論がこれほど長引いているのはなぜだと思いますか。
A：1つには、家族についての伝統的な考えを強く大切にする人がいるからだと思います。また、姓を変えるのはほとんどが女性で、女性は政治の場でまだ少ないままです。意思決定に加わる女性が増えれば、議論は前に進むと思います。

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