Comparative Sociology of Patriarchy

The pivotal work of late Sechiyama Kaku (1963–2026) on the comparative sociology of patriarchy primarily focused on Japan, South Korea, North Korea, China, and Taiwan—collectively conceptualized as "East Asia." This research setting offers a crucial methodological proposition: the shared heritage within the Confucian cultural sphere provides a robust basis for comparability among these societies. While this presupposition has sparked ongoing empirical debate, the methodological significance of establishing such a baseline remains fundamental to comparative sociology.

Inspired by Sechiyama’s enduring influence, a substantial body of research on patriarchy has emerged. Some scholars operate under the assumption that East Asia serves as an ideal framework for controlled comparison, while others explore alternative regional or conceptual frameworks to investigate patriarchal systems. Together, these studies have significantly advanced both gender studies and comparative sociology.

This session welcomes a diverse range of papers on the comparative sociology of patriarchy, whether empirical or theoretical, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods. The session aims to commemorate and critically discuss the empirical, theoretical, and methodological contributions of Sechiyama Kaku’s scholarship alongside the work of his followers.

Keywords: comparative sociology, patriarchy, gender studies, comparability, methodology