Many of us are amazed
by how Japanese children are so calm and controlled all the time even when they
are in public. Japanese considers children as virtuous and innocent as they
believed that only the outside world is the main elements that influence youths
to change (Lombardo, 2014). A unique parenting approach is used to provide careful pruning, nurturing and training.
First
the parents will teach the child dependency where mothers are with their
children, almost always, for the first two years of the child’s life. Japanese
mothers only spend
average of 2 hours per week away
from their baby so things like babysitters, movie nights away
from the baby, or trips just for the parents aren’t common and not well
accepted in Japanese culture. The bond between a mother and her child is strong
because they sleep and bath together until the child is 12 year’s old. Mothers are also often responsible for
disciplining the children by explaining the consequences of a child's actions with
no anger being display.
After building a strong bond, it is easier for the mothers to
teach the child independence. Besides that, due to the safety
and low crime rate in Japan allows parents to let their child to walk home,
take the subway or bus and run errands all by themselves. By doing so the
parents won’t be with the child so that the child could learn how to solve
problems on their own. Japanese parents also expect children to do more chores
around the house at a younger age according to ABC News report. Therefore, with
the guidance of parents and the safe surroundings allow the children to have
the opportunity to be more self-reliant.
Self-discipline is also an important value that Japanese parents teach
their child, the term used for the word
'discipline' is 'shitsuke'. According to Nobuko Uchida, many Japanese parents prefer to teach
their children 'shitsuke'
by doing daily activities together such as preparing food while having
conversation together. Children tend to learn how to behave in different circumstances by following how their
parents act rather than learning through correction or criticism. Moreover,
schools also encourage 'shitsuke'
by having their students to clean their own classroom and dishes every day. This
encourages the child to learn step by step how to clean up after themselves and
prepare them for the future.
Japanese children also learn how to be group-oriented where
individual is less important than a group. This is why children are conscious
on being accepted into a group and they would consider their own actions so
that it won’t affect or upset others. So, when they behave badly,
it is common to how Japanese parents complain in ways such as “You make me feel
bad. You make me ashamed.” or “What will other people think? What will other
people say?” Hence, the Japanese society is orderly, peaceful, and
harmonious because the children are raised to think about how their attitude
affects their parents and others.
It is obvious that Japan practices collectivist culture that
value interdependence where they learn how to be group-oriented and conscious
on being accepted in a group. Other than that, they are also dependent towards
their mothers who only spend average of 2 hours per week away
from them. Lastly, Japanese listen to the authority very much this is why Japan
is so safe, the people are well- mannered and they keep their country clean
because authority plays an important role in their lives.
http://www.brianlosullivan.com/blog/japanese-parenting-style/
well-explained, good job.
ReplyDeleteI think the Malaysian should start learn from the Japanese Parenting Style because all of the skills they were taught when they are still young might be useful for their future.
I am in Japan now. Only 50 present agree. I don't think just teaching your child to ignore his individual needs and and emotion instead follow the group to survive in a group is good.
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