Cultural Differences between Japanese and American families

I just finished up an exhausting but fascinating 2-day meeting with a team from Square Enix, a major Japanese game creator. Square is best known for the Final Fantasy series and for Kingdom Hearts, a successful collaboration with Disney. Square is now applying their considerable creative talents to the mobile space, and I'm helping them create new games & applications for cellphones.

During our meetings, we discussed the cultural differences between Japanese and American families, and it got me thinking about the communication style of many American families that I know (inlcluding my own) where both parents work. The husband and wife will typically talk several times a day, often exchanging rather mundane schedule or errand-based info (e.g. 'Honey, can you please pickup some milk and lettuce on your way home?'). Whereas in Japan, the husband and wife often lead more distinctly parallel lives, and their roles are more clearly defined.

In general, I relish the complexity and richness of my working-Mom lifestyle... but sometimes, I yearn for a simpler life, where the roles are more clearly defined, and I don't need to spend so much time and overhead scheduling, juggling, and communicating with my spouse. Then I shake myself out of my reverie and remember my Mom's experience being an under-appreciated housewife with kids, and her yearning to use her intelligence towards something other than figuring out what to cook for dinner. And I remember why I went to graduate school, and chose a man to marry who supported my career aspirations.

There's no 'corrent way' to live your life - it's all about striking a balance that feels right for you, and playing the hand you're dealt as best you can. I'm tremendously grateful to have interesting work, great clients, and a loving family. It just gets so darn *complicated* sometimes...

Comments

[Srikant]

Although I stumbled upon your site through i-gizmo, I could not help reading your musings on lifestyle.
"There's no 'corrent way' to live your life - it's all about striking a balance that feels right for you, and playing the hand you're dealt as best you can. I'm tremendously grateful to have interesting work, great clients, and a loving family. It just gets so darn *complicated* sometimes..."
I agree with you mostly. I think there is no "correct way" of leading one's life. But if everyone chose what is "feels right" for them, the world would be a darn chaotic place. I mean, I would really like to be a writer/director/painter/farmer/teacher (feel right) but am doing a PhD (correct way). So "correct way" need not be the "feels right" way. In fact, I think every person tries as much to lead parallel lives... Because of this it does get complicated at times. Do you think it has to do anything with technology we have today?

[lisya gon]

lisya

[Xon Gonimovich]

Looks neat! Aint got the bread!!!