Care of the Elderly in Japan: Changing Norms and Expectations

Ogawa, Naoko; Retherford, Robert D.

doi:10.2307/353340

Cited by 85 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Coresidence in Japan has been attributed to norms of filial piety, originating in Confucian ideology and written as law during the Meiji period (1868-1912) (Izuhara 2000;Ogawa and Retherford 1993;Takagi and Silverstein 2006;Therborn 2004). In contrast to the West where family relationships are more horizontal, Japanese families are characterized by vertical relationships, with contact between generations occurring in the household (Sugisawa et al 2002).…”

Section: Gender Differences In Elder Depressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Gender Gap in Depressive Symptoms Among Japanese Elders: Evaluating Social Support and Health as Mediating Factors

Tiedt

2010

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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Depression has been described as the world's most prevalent illness and a leading cause of disability across age groups. The global literature on aging and depression reports greater prevalence of depressive symptoms among women than men. This research applies data from the Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging to the gender gap in depressive symptoms reported by Japanese elders. This study takes the position that cultural norms centered on obligations to care determine both the prevalence of social support and its application by family members. Since gender is the lens through which social and cultural expectations are filtered, the experiences of men and women are distinguished from one another. This study hypothesized that coresidency and filial obligations should protect elders from depression. At the same time, combative relationships within households were posited to aggravate depressive symptoms among mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Weak social support networks, as captured through not being married, living alone and lack of community contact were also hypothesized to exacerbate isolation and heighten depressive symptoms. The analyses found that receipt of support both protected elders as well as worsened depressive symptoms. While women reported greater frequency of depressive symptoms overall, results indicated that men experienced a larger effect of decreased mobility and transitions to poor physical health on depressive symptoms than women.

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Section: Gender Differences In Elder Depressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Gender Gap in Depressive Symptoms Among Japanese Elders: Evaluating Social Support and Health as Mediating Factors

Tiedt

2010

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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“…The preferences of the elderly are often in conflict with those of the potential caregivers, however, as increased numbers of women are entering the workforce and becoming more focused on their careers (Elliot and Campbell, 1993;Ogawa and Retherford, 1993). Adult children seem much less interested in the role of caregiver to an elderly parent now than in past years, reflecting these new labor force values and options (Strom, 2000).…”

Section: Elder Carementioning

confidence: 96%

Graying of Japan: Choju Shakai

Levkoff

2000

Ageing Int.

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Japan has completed its demographic transition and has been forced to face the aging of a substantial proportion of the population prior to other developed nations. Extreme population aging has led to increases in the demand for social services for the aged and the family, which have far exceeded existing supply of services. This article examines family relations, health services, retirement, and economic well-being of the aging population in Japan. Challenges and implications for future elder care are discussed.

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“…The combination of rapid demographic shift and changes in family expectations has helped trigger a heated debate about aged care (JARC, 1996;Ogawa, 1989Ogawa, , 1993. Many options have been canvassed; we summarise them in Table 1.…”

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confidence: 99%