Another paper for school!
We all have similarities and differences alike. For many these differences could be physical or something less obvious. This can also be the case for countries. Today, I will be attempting to explain some differences between how we act as individuals, or as a whole-and Japan.
I have a friend (Jeffrey Bridgman) who is the son of missionaries supported by the church I was raised in. they have spent my whole lifetime serving in Japan and I thought asking them some questions over differences would be best. They have witnessed it first-hand and will be able to answer my questions in a more personal way, as opposed to statistics and facts from a search engine.
My first question was over the physical or developmental differences. Are there any differences there? Bridgman says; “Not really, from a health-care perspective at least. Being a different race, there's definitely difference in skin colors, bone structure (flatter nose, eyes not as deeply set, generally smaller and not as tall). I'd also say there's less obesity. I would say most of that is due to difference in gene pool, however, Japanese kids rarely drink sodas, so that might contribute to being healthier.”
Not exactly what I would have expected. Japan has always seemed so different to me. And it is, but I guess the differences in that area aren’t as drastic as I would have expected. It’s amazing to me that you can travel miles-and-miles, hours-and-hours away, to find that they are fairly similar.
When asked about the duration of childhood there, Bridgman gave me an answer that was also opposite of what I would have expected. He focused mainly on the educational differences. Saying that- beginning in Junior High you begin to higher and further your education. You focus more on math/science if you believe you’ll “grow up” to be an engineer. There are other specialized programs to help you in various aspects. Even in the 6th grade there’s a huge amount of pressure placed on students to figure out their future and begin to prepare ones-self for it now. There’s a lot of stress over passing entrance tests and proving yourself successful. To parents, universities-and in society. Beginning at a much younger age than here. Many of our seniors graduate not really knowing what they want to do. Meaning they can’t prepare for it as those in Japan are.
I was also curious on the working-age in Japan. Bridgman explains that after “compulsory education”- the grade at which education is no longer required (9th -10th grade) marks when many begin to work. Even full-time. This can be as young as thirteen or fifteen.
In Japan as I’m sure you’ve picked up on- there’s a lot of pressure to grow up and be independent, successful. They are welcomed into adulthood by a “coming of age ceremony” at the age of twenty. This is hosted by the individual’s town. Everyone dresses nice and celebrates the big day. Also, at the ages of eighteen for boys or sixteen for girls (with parental consent)- they are allowed to marry- though many don’t marry until they are in their mid twenties. At age twenty you can vote, drink or smoke. You can’t get your license until you’re eighteen. Unless you want to “drive” a moped- then it’s sixteen.
So, what can account for the differences in marriage age? We frown on those who marry really young. Bridgman says; “I think part of it is a higher pressure to perform. During middle school and high school the pressure is really on to perform and get good test scores in stuff and often times guys and girls might go to different school (or the specialization - e.g. less girls in engineering - means you don't know as many girls, much less have time). In college this is a bit more relaxing since most of the time- if you get in, you'll graduate. After that there's definitely the drive of careers - Japanese are hard-workers and very dedicated to their companies (e.g. you never leave before your boss does, if co-workers go out after work you're expected to join).”
There is much put on the younger. Naturally I was curious about the attitude toward the elderly. How do they treat the elderly? Bridgman says that they are very respectful and take good care of them. Many are still hard workers in their old-age (in family businesses or in their own hobbies; gardening, making things with their hands, cooking, cleaning) they have nice retirement centers. Bridgman says; “Our town had a very nice retirement care and community center for elderly people run by the city, shuttle buses to get them around, health clinics, etc. On trains/buses in Japan they have designated seats for elderly people that people are very good about giving up when an older person gets on.”
Also, many times the Japanese don’t entrust hospital workers to care for their loved ones. If someone is in the hospital or sick, though they are being tended to by nurses the family helps to provide care. In Japan, there’s many three-generation homes. Many are super family oriented- and have a strong sense of looking out for each other.
These are only a few of the many differences, some being very different, others, not-so-much.
I hope you’ve learned some about the Japanese culture-I know I have. Maybe you’ve been inspired to learn more, or visit them (should that be the case… take me with you)
Japan is a far-away place, with some interesting ideas and differences in the way they “bring up” their children. But I can tell you first-hand, just from knowing Bridgman, who was raised in this culture, and adopted it as his own, it’s a great foundation. And produces some very mature young people- who become wonderful adults.
I have a friend (Jeffrey Bridgman) who is the son of missionaries supported by the church I was raised in. they have spent my whole lifetime serving in Japan and I thought asking them some questions over differences would be best. They have witnessed it first-hand and will be able to answer my questions in a more personal way, as opposed to statistics and facts from a search engine.
My first question was over the physical or developmental differences. Are there any differences there? Bridgman says; “Not really, from a health-care perspective at least. Being a different race, there's definitely difference in skin colors, bone structure (flatter nose, eyes not as deeply set, generally smaller and not as tall). I'd also say there's less obesity. I would say most of that is due to difference in gene pool, however, Japanese kids rarely drink sodas, so that might contribute to being healthier.”
Not exactly what I would have expected. Japan has always seemed so different to me. And it is, but I guess the differences in that area aren’t as drastic as I would have expected. It’s amazing to me that you can travel miles-and-miles, hours-and-hours away, to find that they are fairly similar.
When asked about the duration of childhood there, Bridgman gave me an answer that was also opposite of what I would have expected. He focused mainly on the educational differences. Saying that- beginning in Junior High you begin to higher and further your education. You focus more on math/science if you believe you’ll “grow up” to be an engineer. There are other specialized programs to help you in various aspects. Even in the 6th grade there’s a huge amount of pressure placed on students to figure out their future and begin to prepare ones-self for it now. There’s a lot of stress over passing entrance tests and proving yourself successful. To parents, universities-and in society. Beginning at a much younger age than here. Many of our seniors graduate not really knowing what they want to do. Meaning they can’t prepare for it as those in Japan are.
I was also curious on the working-age in Japan. Bridgman explains that after “compulsory education”- the grade at which education is no longer required (9th -10th grade) marks when many begin to work. Even full-time. This can be as young as thirteen or fifteen.
In Japan as I’m sure you’ve picked up on- there’s a lot of pressure to grow up and be independent, successful. They are welcomed into adulthood by a “coming of age ceremony” at the age of twenty. This is hosted by the individual’s town. Everyone dresses nice and celebrates the big day. Also, at the ages of eighteen for boys or sixteen for girls (with parental consent)- they are allowed to marry- though many don’t marry until they are in their mid twenties. At age twenty you can vote, drink or smoke. You can’t get your license until you’re eighteen. Unless you want to “drive” a moped- then it’s sixteen.
So, what can account for the differences in marriage age? We frown on those who marry really young. Bridgman says; “I think part of it is a higher pressure to perform. During middle school and high school the pressure is really on to perform and get good test scores in stuff and often times guys and girls might go to different school (or the specialization - e.g. less girls in engineering - means you don't know as many girls, much less have time). In college this is a bit more relaxing since most of the time- if you get in, you'll graduate. After that there's definitely the drive of careers - Japanese are hard-workers and very dedicated to their companies (e.g. you never leave before your boss does, if co-workers go out after work you're expected to join).”
There is much put on the younger. Naturally I was curious about the attitude toward the elderly. How do they treat the elderly? Bridgman says that they are very respectful and take good care of them. Many are still hard workers in their old-age (in family businesses or in their own hobbies; gardening, making things with their hands, cooking, cleaning) they have nice retirement centers. Bridgman says; “Our town had a very nice retirement care and community center for elderly people run by the city, shuttle buses to get them around, health clinics, etc. On trains/buses in Japan they have designated seats for elderly people that people are very good about giving up when an older person gets on.”
Also, many times the Japanese don’t entrust hospital workers to care for their loved ones. If someone is in the hospital or sick, though they are being tended to by nurses the family helps to provide care. In Japan, there’s many three-generation homes. Many are super family oriented- and have a strong sense of looking out for each other.
These are only a few of the many differences, some being very different, others, not-so-much.
I hope you’ve learned some about the Japanese culture-I know I have. Maybe you’ve been inspired to learn more, or visit them (should that be the case… take me with you)
Japan is a far-away place, with some interesting ideas and differences in the way they “bring up” their children. But I can tell you first-hand, just from knowing Bridgman, who was raised in this culture, and adopted it as his own, it’s a great foundation. And produces some very mature young people- who become wonderful adults.
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