SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR TO DISCUSS 'JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY TODAY' ON DEC. 4

Arthur Sakamoto, Ph.D., a professor of sociology, will discuss his studies on the "Japanese American Family Today" in contrast to the Nikkei family of the 20th Century in a public program set for Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Professor Sakamoto, who teaches at the University of Texas at Austin, will compare and contrast the modern Japanese American family with the families started by the original Issei immigrant generation who arrived between 1885 and 1924. The Issei families "emphasized group obligation over individualism, and behavioral obedience to authority over personal verbal expression."

Prof. Sakamoto cites Harry Kitano in describing the Issei families as being "based on obligation, strong involvement in family relationships, priority of filial bond over conjugal bond, male dominance, rigid division of labor by sex, emotional restraint with emphasis on compassion, respect, consideration, stability, and little verbal communication." The immigrants brought with them "a concern for children to be disciplined and trained in such a way that they will most likely bring honor to the family by their being successful in some manner."

In contrast, the modern Japanese American family is reflective of American society. Intermarriage is the norm and one-adult households are commonplace. The positive side is that "contemporary Japanese Americans now have much more freedom to identify and live according to their own preferences in regard to their own chosen ethnic identities, household arrangements, and socioeconomic attainments."

The role of education has always been historically important to Japanese American families. Prof. Sakamoto defines the sociological term "education mom" where "Japanese and other Asian mothers and fathers routinely have high educational expectations for their children, clearly convey this fact to them, and carefully invest in educational and social resources that enhance their children’s academic achievements." Prof. Sakamoto observes, "In general, J-A families (today) tend to have above average educational attainment."

Prof. Sakamoto, who was born in New York City, is a graduate of Harvard and earned his graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. This program is free to National Museum members or with admission.