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Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.
I refer to your article, “How Barbie is reigniting discussion in China about feminism and women’s rights” (July 30).
I am delighted that the film is sparking conversations about feminism, which remains a taboo subject in our society. Indeed, many women shy away from calling themselves feminists, as they might be criticised for being man-haters (when what we are actually against is patriarchy), aggressive (which is unattractive in a woman, we are told) and angry.
It might well be easier for women to submit to patriarchal values and try to win male approval: be docile, subordinate and somebody’s wife, in return for comfort, security and material goods. But it also comes with a heavy price – becoming more of a possession like a stereotypical Barbie.
Nevertheless, with awareness of our autonomy and agency, women are authentic persons, not dolls. It is notable that in the film, Barbie leaves her flawless life in Barbie Land behind in search of purpose as an imperfect but real woman.
In China, some men were seen leaving the cinema in the middle of the movie. While patriarchy gives men power and privilege, its values could be detrimental to them too. Whether they realise it or not, men are under pressure to conform to stereotypical ideas of masculinity: they have to be strong, dominant and silent about their emotions to prove their manliness. For example, boys who like playing with Barbie dolls or have other hobbies perceived as feminine are likely to be ridiculed. Why can’t society let them freely pursue their interests and live up to their potential?
In Barbie Land, women win Nobel Prizes and successfully pursue a wide range of careers, while Ken’s job is just “beach”. I see this as a satire on the inequality in our world and a representation of girl power, but it is by no means an assertion of female superiority. Ultimately, what feminism advocates is equal rights between genders, so that both men and women can have a fair chance to flourish.
Jenny Fok, Fanling
3 reasons why Japanese teens are poor at English
I refer to the article, “Japan’s 15-year-olds can’t string a sentence in English together. Is rote learning to blame?” (August 3).
I would suggest three reasons for this.
The first reason concerns the function and status of English in Japan. With the overwhelming majority using Japanese as a first language in diverse domains such as daily conversation, business, media and education, English is essentially a foreign language taught in school and a tool seldom used outside the school setting, except for the service industry and business sector where interaction with foreign tourists and businessmen in English is necessary.
Another reason pertains to pedagogy and assessment. While English is taught as a core subject from kindergarten level all the way up to tertiary level in some places, English classes are mandatory in Japan only from the fifth grade onwards. Although the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme aims to facilitate English teaching, foreign native speakers of English are deployed as assistant language teachers – meaning they are only to help local teachers.
Meanwhile, an undue emphasis on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) as an assessment tool contributes to Japanese students’ difficulty expressing themselves in English, as the test emphasises receptive skills (listening and reading) rather than productive skills (speaking and writing).
The last reason is sociolinguistic. Japan has a history of protectionism. The notion that foreigners who want to do business with the Japanese have to learn the Japanese language and etiquette is so deeply ingrained in society that few young people have the motivation to master English at a high level. This reluctance to step out of their comfort zones is antithetical to language learning, which involves taking risks.
With the emergence of ChatGPT and other AI language models conveniently providing translation, it is likely that a good number of Japanese teens will continue to struggle to learn English.
However, there will be those who swim against the tide, deliberately immersing themselves in English and interacting with foreigners. Some Japanese content creators are speaking English on their YouTube channels, trying to reach a global audience.
Jason Tang, Tin Shui Wai
A British band with bad manners
The recent kerfuffle in Malaysia over a British band is a microcosm of what the rest of the world feels about the West.
During a set at a music festival in Kuala Lumpur, the frontman of The 1975, with a bottle of alcohol in hand, decided to rant about the Malaysian government’s stance on homosexuality, before kissing a bandmate.
The incident caused outrage across Malaysia, not because of the singer’s position on homosexuality, but simply because he was seen as obnoxious.
If you know you are going to be performing, why drink? It is worse when you fail to do your job properly and launch into a tirade about your hosts.
Nehru Sathiamoorthy, Selangor, Malaysia


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Women and gender

Why Chinese men needn’t be put off by Barbie and feminism

A trailer for the movie “Barbie” is shown on a giant screen outside a shopping mall in Beijing on July 20. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong’s growing awareness of gender identity complexities brings confusion and worry

An employee exits a unisex toilet at the Beijing headquarters of Blued, the world’s largest gay social network app, on May 29, 2018. Photo: Xinyan Yu

Founders of North District Secondary School’s Gender Studies Club are seen in Sheung Shui on June 5. From the left, Tsui-hei, 17, Snowman, 15, and Whale Fall, 19, (not their real names). Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Why Hollywood strikes are about the future of movies and women

Striking actors and writers walk past a Barbie movie in front of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on July 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

Opinion

Readers discuss the message of the new movie, Japanese students’ struggle with English and the behaviour of a British band in Malaysia


Readers discuss the message of the new movie, Japanese students’ struggle with English and the behaviour of a British band in Malaysia.


.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Readers discuss the message of the new movie, Japanese students’ struggle with English and the behaviour of a British band in Malaysia

Readers discuss the message of the new movie, Japanese students’ struggle with English and the behaviour of a British band in Malaysia