STATUS OF FAMILY THEORY AND RESEARCH IN JAPAN

This paper examines the development of family research and theory in J apan in the context of family change since World War II. Among the top ics explored are: the increasingly aging society, decrease in birth ra te, child rearing practices of over-protection and non-supervision, in creasing independence and its impact on family cohesiveness, and econo mic and technological development Theoretical approaches to family res earch in Japan are discussed; including the life course perspective, f amily stress theory, the feminist perspective, and social network theo ry. Comparative studies are reviewed.