HSI Report: Family Practices inContemporary Japan
University News | August 14, 2024
In the Hokkaido Summer Institute (HSI) 2024, 17 participants fromdifferent parts of the world learned how to critically analyze thesociological aspects of family in the Family Practices in Contemporary
Japan course. Facilitated by Dr. Bojana Yamamoto-Pavlasevic, aresearcher on family sociology who is residing in Aarhus (Denmark), thisoffline course took place on the Sapporo Campus on July 16–19, 2024.

Dr. Bojana Yamamoto-Pavlasevic introduced a Japanese film that illustrates shifts in family
norms in post-war Japan.

The course focused on the Japanese post-war family. “Japanese post-war
society is interesting to look at because it is very different from its
preceding era. After the war, Japan had an economic boom and more
influence from the western countries, thus leading to a new kind of familial
norm. It is important to be critical of the norms because what happens inprivate lives actually has a larger societal impact,” said YamomotoPavlasevic.
Considering the vast nature of the discourse on family, the subjects in thiscourse were narrowed down to gender roles and life trajectory, Japaneseparenting practices, and family policy in Japan and its global context. The
class looked at how they are practiced from various cultural products andcase studies.

During the topic on fatherhood, students were shown with a public poster promoting a more
active paternal role in the family (left) and a set of statistics on husband-wife’s time dedicatedfor child rearing (right).

The course consisted mainly of lectures, and to summarize each session,
students had prompt-based group discussions using newly acquired
knowledge.
In this culturally diverse classroom, the students were also encouraged tosolve the case studies by adding their own thoughts and to share theirexperiences. As it turned out, two students who are of the same nationality
do not necessarily share the same lifestyle. Conversely, students who arefrom different continents share some resemblances in their upbringing.
Detecting similarities and differences is a way to reflect on and reconsider
stereotypes.

Students shared the results of their group discussions and told amusing anecdotes based on
their personal experiences—inciting laughs from the people in the classroom.

For many participants of Japanese descent, they took this opportunity toreflect on and rekindle with their culture. One, an American born andraised with Japanese parents, disclosed that she pursued this course tobetter understand her parents’ perspectives. Similarly, a student from theUniversity of the Philippines, who has a Japanese mother, said that hewanted to get closer to his Japanese roots through learning.
The course attracted those who are curious about Japanese culture ingeneral. A Chinese student from Northwestern University, who will soon
enroll in an exchange program at a Japanese university, said that thiscourse provides him with a basic grasp on Japanese culture.
Yamomoto-Pavlasevic hopes that, regardless of the students’ background,they will have developed an interest in sociology by the end of the course.
“Being critical towards the society is not equal to being negative towards it.
Sociology can make us understand and even help people. It is an active way
to be in the world and happiness.”
To know more about Hokkaido Summer Institute, visit the website:
https://hokkaidosummerinstitute.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/
Written by Aprilia Agatha Gunawan