The Structure of Japanese Family
The Japanese family structure has changed since World War II, however some of the basics have remained the same throughout the years. The husband or father is the head of the household (“Japanese Culture”, 2013), and is very dedicated to work, spending six days a week working late into the night as the main income for the household. ("Japanese Communication within Family Contexts", 2001) He also has the final say over major decisions. Meanwhile, the mother tends to the housework, finances, and cares for the children. ("Japanese Communication within Family Contexts", 2001) Since the father works a lot, the mother has the strongest relationship with the children (Purnell, 2014), so strong that it’s rare for her to leave them with a babysitter. If the mother cannot care for the children, then the grandmother usually takes the responsibility. …show more content…
("Japanese Communication within Family Contexts", 2001) Eldest sons is considered the next most responsible family member after the father. (Purnell, 2014) Children are taught from a very young age that self-expression is not allowed in Japanese society. This is called “saving face” and is considered a way to avoid emotional issues and create harmony. (“Japanese Culture”, 2013) Children are also taught to respect the elderly. Often times, elderly family members are usually cared for at home by the family. (Purnell,