A Cultural Comparison of Conflict-Solution Styles Displayed in the Japanese, French, and German School Texts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the ways how to solve the conflicts between parents and children by statistical analyses displayed in Japanese, French, and German school texts published in 2000. The results were as follows: (1) Japanese parents and children acting in those texts have much more compromising tendency to avoid conflicts than French and German ones. Japanese children are much more expected to behave in harmony with others by avoidance of any conflicts, whereas French and German ones by presenting their opinions for their solution; and (2) French and German parents and children use a much more verbal communication style than Japanese ones do. Those children are expected to express their own opinions much more than Japanese children. These results show that the solution styles of parent-child conflicts would be an interesting indicator reflecting culture and society.