TRAFFIC
by Alma Reyes
CORONA Battle of the Sexes We are approaching the halfway point of the second year of the Coronavirus pandemic. Since the emergence of the widespread infection, there has been a lot of chatter about how married couples have been coping with the unbearable situation. The so-called “Corona Divorce” phenomenon began to leak profusely not only abroad, but in Japan as well, where many family and marriage therapists believe appears to boil more intensely than anywhere else. Here is why we can believe it: Small-sized housing
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Typical Japanese homes, whether houses or apartments, are relatively smaller than those in other countries. A regular humble apartment in Tokyo may measure just below 50-60 square meters. Tiny rooms separated from each other by thin walls, usually constructed in wood and mortar, also pose mental or psychological constrictions. Corridors, hallways, or a dead space between rooms (sometimes used for storage) are not regular features of an ordinary Japanese interior layout. The lack of adequate space and needed privacy easily tempts family members to spend more time outdoors than indoors; therefore, husbands come home late, friends meet in restaurants
rather than host home parties, or children spend leisure hours in game centers, karaoke, cinemas, or simply roam around the city. Either the lack of interpersonal interaction or too much of it can wound marital and family ties.
Since the recommendation of self-quarantine and teleworking, more people ironically relieve stress by stepping out of their homes. Teleworking parents have to share the limited space at home with their children as well who have to stop school. This inconvenience has disrupted work concentration and upset individual schedules, consequently, arousing arguments within the household.
May - June 2021
