The Independence Of The Children In Japan

THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE CHILDREN IN JAPAN

 Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Independence Of The Children In Japan”. Why is the independence of the children in Japan must discussed as the topic in this blog that related with family life in Japan? Because the independence of the children in Japan are very different with other countries.

         Independence is something that can be done alone without disturbing others. Japan is a country that has many people who are accustomed to being taught by parents to be independent from childhood and even before the children go to school. So there's no need to be surprised if you go or visit Japan, you can see many school children who are still in elementary school going to school alone and carrying lots of their belongings to school such as books, other supporting equipment for their school or bento that can be done by themselves without asking for help from parents or other people to bring their belongings. This is very different for several other countries in this part of the world.

         Establishing the independence of children in Japan is not something that automatically happens. It takes a long time to get used to it. Independence does not come just like that, but it requires training from parents, the government, and the surrounding environment.
         The following are supporting factors for children's independence in Japan:

1.    The Supporting Factors for the Independence of Children in Japan

a.    Parents Factors (Family)

The independence of children in Japan starts from the education of parents (family). Japanese children are slowly being left to the outside world at a very young age by their parents. Many parents believe that walking to school is the first step in teaching children to be independent. Independence is one of the Japanese attributes that distinguishes them from other countries. At the age of 3-5 years, children in Japan begin to be trained in independence with simple tasks inside or outside the home. Like, helping parents clean the house, helping parents to buy things in stores that are close to entrusting their parents' money to them. That can lead to a sense of responsibility for these children to be responsible for the assignments they are given.

When children start entering the age of kindergarten and elementary school, they are taught to organize their own school needs. They also began to learn about various types of public transportation, the ethics of crossing, and how to solve problems when getting lost on the road.

b.    Environmental Factor

The environment in Japan strongly supports children who are still small enough to start studying or who are starting to enter school. The Japanese government sees many school children who go alone or shop on the market alone because they help parents. Because of this, the Japanese government made facilities for these children. Parents in Japan also strongly believe in the surrounding environment to come into direct contact with their children. The surrounding environment is used to seeing children walking alone without their parents. Because of support from the government, the local environment also tried to install signs that were easy for children to understand. Moreover, there is a distance limit determined by the government so that elementary school children do not go to school far away. And the government also rules that schools in Japan must have the same quality standards as other schools.

According to the US Department of Security, Japan is one of the countries with a far lower crime rate than America. That's why Japanese parents are brave and believe to let go of their children to interact in a crowded environment like markets or on highways.

c.    School Rules Factor

Some schools in Japan prohibit their students from being picked up by their parents at school. For children who are just starting out in school, they naturally need practice, especially for children aged 5-6 years. In the first month, children are still delivered by their parents. But schools always encourage students to use public transportation, bicycles, or on foot. Because schools have regulations such as using public transportation, cycling, or walking when going home from school, so the school also explains exactly how these school children can do when they are out of school to go home like signs and ethics what they have to do in public places.

So, that is some of the things that become a factor of children in Japan who are very independent, not only because parents are very supportive but environmental factors strongly support the development of the independence of these children to continue to learn independently and not disturb others but is useful for people other. And the beliefs of parents with the environment around their children. Hopefully one day, the government, schools, neighborhoods and parents in Indonesia can adopt this method so that children become more independent in the future.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
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