Families in Different Societies (AP)

1.1 Families in Different Societies

Alphabets Galore

Hiragana (ひらがな)

Hiragana is one of the three writing systems used in Japanese.

• It forms the foundation of the language, representing basic sounds and grammatical elements.

• Each character has a specific stroke order that must be followed when writing.

• Mastery of hiragana is essential for reading and forming complete words and sentences in Japanese.

Examples of Hiragana Characters with Variations:

• A
  a = あ
  ka = か
  ga = が (か with tenten)
  sa = さ
  za = ざ (さ with tenten)
  ...

• I
  i = い
  ki = き
  gi = ぎ (き with tenten)
  shi = し
  ji = じ (し with tenten)
  ...

• U
  u = う
  ku = く
  gu = ぐ (く with tenten)
  ...

• Special Character
  n = ん

Katakana (カタカナ)

Katakana is used primarily for words borrowed from other languages, such as English, French, and German. Its characters parallel those of hiragana.

Example:

• Ice cream = a-i-su-ku-ri-mu (アイスクリーム)

Kanji (漢字)

Kanji, borrowed from Chinese, is the most complex alphabet in Japanese. Kanji characters often have multiple meanings and pronunciations depending on context.

Example:

• 家 (いえ/か) = house

• 族 (ぞく) = tribe

• Together: 家族 (かぞく) = family

Family Foundations (家族 – Kazoku)

Families are central to Japanese culture. Understanding their structure and role offers insight into broader societal values.

Urban and Suburban Families

• Typically, families consist of two parents and one or two children due to space constraints.

• Children call their parents Okāsan (お母さん) for mother and Otōsan (お父さん) for father.

• Traditionally, the husband works outside, while the wife manages the home, although dual-income households are increasingly common.

Intergenerational Living:

• It’s common for adult children to live with their parents, even after marriage.

• Elderly parents often live with their children, reflecting strong filial piety (respect and care for parents).

Rural Families

• In rural areas, traditional roles are more common, with husbands often working in agriculture or fishing.

• Extended families living together is typical, with grandparents, parents, and children sharing a household.

• Rural communities emphasize cooperation, with neighbors supporting each other in farming or fishing ventures.

Gender Roles in Japanese Society

Traditionally, Japan has maintained distinct gender roles, with men serving as the primary breadwinners and women focusing on household duties and child-rearing. However, societal views on gender roles have been evolving. It is increasingly common for both men and women to work outside the home and share domestic responsibilities.

Traditional Gender Expectations

• Men are often expected to handle financial matters and make significant family decisions.

• Women are typically responsible for managing the household and raising children.

• However, individual families may vary based on personal values and preferences.

Japanese society also tends to be more accepting of gender nonconformity compared to some cultures. Men pursuing traditionally feminine hobbies (e.g., cooking, sewing) and women engaging in masculine interests (e.g., sports, mechanics) are relatively common.

Elders and Filial Piety (親孝行 – Oyakōkō)

Filial piety represents the duty and respect children owe their parents, including caring for them in old age and showing reverence.

Responsibilities and Practices

• Elderly parents often live with their adult children, who provide care such as cooking, cleaning, and personal assistance.

• Elders are valued for their wisdom and often consulted on significant family decisions.

• Speaking respectfully to elders is a cultural norm; casual or rude language is considered highly inappropriate.

Filial piety helps maintain family harmony and unity, making it a central virtue in Japanese culture.

Challenges Facing Japanese Families

1. Aging Population

• Japan has one of the oldest populations globally, leading to increased demand for elder care.

• Families often struggle to balance work commitments with caregiving responsibilities.

2. Work-Life Balance

• Long working hours are a cultural norm, making it difficult for many families to prioritize personal life.

• Women, in particular, face challenges with career advancement and workplace discrimination.

3. Low Birth Rate

• Japan’s declining birth rate puts pressure on families raising children, as support systems for working parents are limited.

4. Changing Gender Roles

• Shifts in gender expectations, with more women in the workforce and men taking on domestic roles, can lead to family tension as traditional dynamics evolve.

5. Mental Health

• Japan has a high suicide rate, and mental health challenges like depression and anxiety are common.

• Families often bear the burden of supporting members with mental health issues, despite social stigma surrounding such topics.

1.2 Family Values and Traditions

Respect in Japanese Families

Respect is a core value deeply embedded in Japanese family life. Older family members are regarded as wiser, and it is important to show deference to them.

Ways to Show Respect

1. Honorifics:

   • Using "san" (さん) after a person's name demonstrates respect.

   • Example of a respectful greeting:

     • "まちこさん、こんにちは! お元気ですか？"

       • Machiko-san, hello! How are you?

     • "あら、典子さん、お久しぶりです!"

       • Oh, Noriko-san, it’s been a while!

2. Bowing:

   • Bowing is a customary greeting that signifies respect and acknowledgment.

   • Unlike handshakes in Western cultures, bowing reflects humility and politeness.

Unity and Family Bonds

Japanese families value unity and take pride in their familial ties.

Naming Conventions

• In formal settings, people use last names with "san" attached:

  • おはようございます、田中さん。 (Good morning, Tanaka-san.)

• In informal settings, first names with "san" are common:

  • けいかさん、一緒に食べましょう。 (Keika-san, let’s eat together.)

Family Gatherings and Omiyage (おみやげ)

• Bringing a gift (omiyage) to a family gathering shows thoughtfulness and strengthens bonds.

• A popular gift is osenbei (おせんべい), an assortment of rice crackers in various flavors, beautifully packaged for gifting.

The values of respect and unity within families extend into broader social interactions. Bowing and using respectful titles like "san" or "sama" are common outside the home. Open disagreements are rare, and people typically avoid confrontations, resolving differences calmly.

Family Meals

Sharing meals is central to family connection in Japan.

Mealtime Practices

• Everyone waits until all members are seated before starting the meal.

• Meals begin with "Itadakimasu" (いただきます), meaning "Let’s eat," expressing gratitude for the food.

• Using chopsticks (hashi, はし) is customary.

• Slurping noodles is seen as a compliment to the cook, indicating that the food is delicious.

Meal Closing

• Meals end with "Goshisōsama" (ごちそうさま), meaning "Thank you for the meal," a way to express appreciation for the food and the cook.

Otoshidama (お年玉)

Otoshidama is a beloved family tradition during New Year’s celebrations.

• Children receive money in decorative packets from parents and grandparents.

• The amount given often correlates with the child’s age.

• Children receive otoshidama until the age of 20.

Learning Opportunity

• Otoshidama provides an opportunity to teach children about saving and managing money.

• Typically, children save a portion of the money for the future, learning the value of financial responsibility from a young age.