Japanese Parents—There are many various parenting styles, and the distinctions are sometimes even more apparent when we compare parenting styles from throughout the world. Many people would agree that there are substantial distinctions between the “Asian” and “Western” approaches to child rearing.
Paolo, also known as PaolofromTokyo on YouTube, is a Filipino-American who was reared in the United States and is married to Maiko, a Japanese woman. They made a film illustrating the changes they’ve noticed in their own personal experiences as children and as parents.
Japanese Parents Spend Very Little Time Apart From Their Children
Aside from the fact that babysitters aren’t as widespread in Japan, many individuals in the country tend to link self-sacrifice with being a good parent. Although this perspective was still established in Japanese culture and society, it was noted in the film that times are changing and that this mindset is slowly changing.
It Is Common For Japanese Parents To Sleep In The Same Room As Their Children
Japanese families frequently sleep in the same room and area until the child is considerably older, maybe due to the construction of the dwellings and the lack of space. Growing up, it’s also usual for siblings to sleep in the same room. In contrast, in Western societies, it is more customary for children to have their own room.
The Children Of Japanese Parents Bathe With Their Opposite Sex Parents
According to a survey in Japan, parents will bathe their children up to the age of ten. Miko also said in the film that while she was in elementary school, she had a bath with her father but doesn’t recall much of it. When compared to other parenting patterns around the world, this is a significantly more startling variation in parenting habits.
Harmony And Empathy Are Important Values To Japanese Parents
They ask kids “how is it going to make the other person feel when you do this?” instead of threats like “you’re going to get in trouble.” There’s also the expression “meiwaku who kekenai,” which emphasizes the value of harmony. In the video, it was mentioned that thinking for others should be balanced with having one’s own thoughts and identity.
It Is Not Just The Japanese Parents Who Enforce Discipline
Discipline is enforced in Japan by a variety of communities, not just parents. This was also evident in school procedures such as requiring children to perform cleaning and other activities at a young age.
The Children Of Japanese Parents Go To School Alone
It is usual for children to be educated at an early age to be self-sufficient in terms of traveling by bus and walking home from school. It was typical to see children traveling in groups, with older children keeping an eye on the younger children, but it was also common to see children traveling alone.
Japanese Parents Provide Their Children With Healthy Food For School
In Japan, children are served kyushoku for lunch, a healthy catered meal. In Japan, most elementary schools and junior high schools provide these lunches. Every day, the meal changes, a nutritionist arranges the menu throughout the year, and the catering and food service company guarantees that the cuisine is of high quality. This meal plan is also made inexpensive for all pupils, and it teaches children about healthy eating habits.
Children Will Stay With Their Japanese Parents After Graduating From School
It is fairly typical for children to stay with their parents even after they have completed their higher education for similar reasons. In a more westernized culture, when children move out and live away from their parents at a much younger age, this would elicit a quite different reaction.
