SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCES AND CARE OF DYING CHILDREN IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED-STATES

Caring for dying children and their families is one of the most diffic ult and challenging aspects of professional nut-sing. An analysis of c ultural influences provides insight into the diverse worldviews held b y people in Japan and the United States that affect nursing care of dy ing children. Selected cultural aspects that influence behaviors in Ja panese and American cultures are reviewed in this article. Characteris tics of support models for dying children and their families establish ed in Western cultures are discussed. This cross-cultural review of pr evalent sociocultural influences on the care of dying children and the ir families in Japan and the United States clearly demonstrates numero us contrasts and parallels.