Early Socialization

1
Early Socialization

• Why studying early socialization?
• to see the impact of socialization practices on
  human development (cross-cultural comparisons)
• how early socialization relates to the
  cultural characteristics
• to compare womens involvement in socialization
• (chronological comparisons)
• changes in womens roles -- corresponding
• changes in socialization practices

2
Developmental milestones

• 7 days after birth name-giving ceremony
• About one month o-miyamairi family shrine
• 100-120 days kuizome first solid food
• 3 years (girls) shichi-go-san shrine
• 5 years (boys)
• 7 years (girls)
• 12-18 years (boys) genpuku initiation into
  manhood
• (girls) kanetsuke initiation into
  womanhood
• 20 years seijin-shiki
• March 3 hina-matsuri dolls festival
• May 5 kodomo-no-hi boys festival

3
Developmental milestones7-5-3
4
Early SocializationCharacteristics

• Physical closeness
• sleeping pattern
• methods of carrying babies
• notion of using baby-sitters
• Perceptions of good mother -- omoiyari
• Measuring mothers commitments

5
Early SocializationDevelopmental consequences

• Intense mother-child interaction
• Internal family relationships (Vogel, 1963
  Bestor (1983)
• Japan US
• Mother-Child Husband-Wife
• Father Child

6
Socialization goals

• Befu (1986)
• Japan US
• Inter-individualism Individualism
• Particularism
• Mutuality of trust
• Role perfection

7
Developing Japanese ways of communication

• Japanese (omoiyari-based) communication style
• (Clancy, 1986, 1991)
• Context dependent
• Indirect
• Rich in connotation
• Evasive in denotation

8
Developing Japanese ways of communication

• Omoiyari training (mother-- child)
• Strategies to communicate the importance of
• being sensitive to other peoples wishes
• Telling the child directly what other people are
  thinking and feeling
• Telling the child to do what other people want
  him/her to do before being told

9
Developing Japanese ways of behavior

• Conformity training
• Formulaic expressions at home/pre-school itadakima
  su before eating
• gochisosama after eating
• Fear of being different
• Discouraging undesirable behaviors
• English-speaking vs. Japanese mothers