Parental involvement is essential for children's education. Several studies have examined relationships between parental involvement and parents' socioeconomic status. However, less attention has been placed on school influences on parental involvement, even though schools play an important role in children's education and can affect the parents…

Previous studies mainly examined individual and family factors affecting Japanese fathers' involvement in child care. Along with these factors, we examine how work-related factors such as father-friendly environment at work, workplace's accommodation of parental needs, job stress, and autonomy are associated with Japanese men's participation in…

Today's children may be exposed to violence in their environment, through the media, at home, and in school. Some children live in countries at war, while others survive in neighborhoods where street gangs prevail. Most parents and children used to assume they could depend upon schools to be safe places, free from abuse and violence. Now it seems…

The author examines characteristics of the Japanese culture that are reflected in their workplace practices. The identification of the "way or method" to perform traditional tasks, the intensity in striving for perfection with common tasks, and the value placed upon learning and education--all have implications for those attempting to…

The consensus among Japanese that education is important is the single most important contributor to the success of Japanese schools. Other factors include institutional centralization and centralized fiscal support, the valued role of maternal support, and the strong supportive learning atmosphere at home and in the classroom. (CMG)

Increasingly, foreign nationals living in Japan are sending their children to Japanese elementary schools. This requires that the children's native language be taught outside of school, most often at home. While teaching oral language is not difficult for parents, teaching reading requires different skills. Some difficulties in this process are…

The study deals with inter- and intracultural differences in the perception of family roles. One hundred and fifty-six Japanese students (40 modern females, 76 traditional females, and 40 males) and 148 German students (58 modern females, 49 traditional females, and 41 males) answered questionnaires concerning the ideal and real decision-making…

The guide offers practical ideas to bilingual parents wishing to teach and encourage English-language reading while their children are attending Japanese-medium primary schools in Japan. Parents are encouraged to analyze their home language environment, including both spoken and written English use. The author provides anecdotal accounts of his…

Contends that juku schools (private, for-profit schools) have become increasingly important in Japanese education during the past decade. Compares the juku schools with the formal Japanese educational system and discusses admission procedure, the curriculum, teachers, and financial costs. (CFR)