1. The Japanese family What does the “typical” Japanese family look like?
Father, mother
1.39 children
The “typical” Japanese family is
Urban
nuclear

2. The traditional family
The “traditional” Japanese family is
rural
extended; 3+ generations in one house
All members contribute to the family livelihood
Family leadership passes to eldest son
In the past, rural clans could dominate entire villages (clan kami)

3. Confucianism and the home
Confucian values a part of Japanese society
Most importantly, the “five obligations”
ruler–ruled
master–servant
husband–wife
parent (father)–child (son)
Elder sibling–younger sibling
Unequal but reciprocal

4. The ie 家 (household) system
Key characteristic: weak kinship (blood) ties
When a member of the ie moves outside that frame, that person’s tie with the birth ie diminishes (Hendry, p. 25)
Daughters join their husband’s household
Comparison: adoption in Japan and the US
US adoptees are mostly infants
In Japan, adoptees are mostly adults

5. Inside and outside
The ie familial framework is the “original” Japanese frame
soto 外 and uchi 内 (or 家); inside and outside
“us” and “them” mindset in frame groupings
This mode of organization seen in speech
“uchi no…”

6. Inside and outside the home
Outsiders rarely enter Japanese homes
Rarely beyond the front room when they do
Homestays are complicated
Domestic violence as an “uchi” problem
Most entertaining done in restaurants (2/7)
Most social gatherings outside the home
The coffee shop as hangout
The izakaya 居酒屋 pub/bar

7. Inside the home Butsudan and kamidana (“god shelf”)
Altars at which ancestors are memorialized
Remnants of the ie

8. The concept of amae 甘え (Doi)
The expectation that someone will impose upon your good will
In a relationship characterized by amae, normal rules of behavior are suspended
Parent-child relationship as prototype
For the object of amae behavior (eg. the parent), it is understood to be a positive thing

9. Amae 甘え amae not limited to parent-child relationships
spousal relationships
friendships
teacher – student
Doctor – patient
The lifelong “arc of dependency”
But parental dependency at all stages is encouraged
“parasite singles”

10. Basic demographics Longevity is up The birth rate is down
How to care for the elderly?
Care by main heir (eldest son)
“Two family–one dwelling” arrangements
Nursing care and its problems
Governmental response

11. The modern family in Japan
The realities of modern urban living
Adult children often live in cramped urban housing far from their parents. This results in:
Fewer multi-generational homes
Looser ties with the ie
A wider variety of social ties
Sometimes the company fills this void, sometimes not
Attribute-based relationships increasingly important

12. Summary
The ie (household) system has strongly influenced social structure in Japan.
Amae is a factor in sustained relationships.
In modern Japan, the nature of family relationships continues to evolve.