Blog #13

Discussion Reflection:

I was not present for this class, so therefore I cannot reflect on the discussion that occurred.

Citations:

1. Ryosaikenbo

  a. "even though more than half of married women today are working, the ideal of ryosaikenbo continues to be very influential." Pg. 180

I feel this can still be reflected in today's society. There has been for a very long time, an unspoken concept that men should be the main bread winners in the house. This has only till recently been the norm in American society. I feel that it will be awhile till this could be seen in the Japanese households. This is due to this concept being so well ingrained in the society as well as the Ie system factoring in. I personally believe that it should not matter who makes more money. If I would have to become a stay at home dad in my future family because it makes more sense for me to quit, I would gladly do so.

2. Zoto

  a. "Another characteristic of Japanese gift giving is its practicality. Something that can be used is chose for almost all kinds of gifts, and because money is the most practical of all, it is given on many occasions." Pg. 238

3. Soshiki

  a. "The bereaved family is expected to be in mourning for the deceased for a specific period of time, called ki chu, which lasts until the forty-ninth day after death, and mo chu, which is for one year after death. However, the bereaved family and close relatives cannot usally be absent from schoor or their companies for such a long time, so the period that they are abset for mourning is predetermined: ten days for a spouse; seven days for a parent; five days for a child; three days for a grandmother, grandfather, sister and brother; and one day for a grandchild, aunt, and uncle." Pgs 212-213

I know that many Americans would find this concept absurd. To have set amount of days that you are allowed to mourn feels to restrictive and by the length that is predetermined, very unrealistic. I also feel that the fact that a child is less than a parent seems weird. As children we know are parents will die before us more than likely. However, parents don't expect to see it the other way around, and therefore mourning would last a lot longer. I honestly can't think of any reason why this is accepted by the Japanese people other than group think. I feel that since it is "established" people don't want to go against the grain and just stick with it. Overall kinda feel this concept is stupid.