THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS ON MOTHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS IN JAPAN

This study examines cultural pressures on mothering and child developm ent in Japan and the historical background of the patriarchical family system. Particularly during the period of rapid economic growth after World War II, gender based division of labor became more stark as wom en were expected only to be good wives and mothers. However, many moth ers face difficulties in motherhood, feeling restricted in their role, incompetent as parents, and in search of an identity aside from being mothers. Research data related high levels of maternal stress created by such difficulties to children having less secure attachments. The influence of maternal stress was buffered among mothers who reported h igh levels of marital harmony, and children with such mothers were jus t as secure as those with mothers who had low levels of stress. The fu nction of emotionality in families is discussed in order to discern th e role of parenting stress. Cultural attitudes towards mothers are que stioned and criticized, in reference to research studies on maternal p sychological functioning and child development.