How do Japanese mothers treat children's negativism?

This study examined the thinking of Japanese mothers (N = 95) concerning the negative and self-assertive behavior of 2;5 and 3;5 year old children. A short structured interview was conducted with middle class mothers to (1) ascertain their ideas about the reasons for and the development of negativism and self-assertion, and (2) clarify how mothers respond to such behavior. The results made it clear such childrearing issues as autonomy, negativism, self-assertion, and indeed ego development have a different meaning in the Japanese cultural context than in the Western context from which these psychological terms have been derived. Mothers appeared to be in conflict because they are told to accept negativism and noncompliance as normal and necessary developmentally, even though noncompliant and self-assertive behavior seem to be unacceptable behavior after early Japanese childhood. The results are discussed in terms of implications for childrearing and socialization models, and indicate that traditional Western theories of individuation and autonomy cannot be simply transplanted into the developmental study of Japanese children.