The Structure and Function of Family in Postwar Japan

Abstract

1. Revision of Family Institution and Its Actual Status -In accordance with the development of modern industrization and urbanization in Japan, an extended family has recently had a tendency to change its form as an nuclear family. On the othere hand, the moral and legal criterions in a traditional family has still remained to a considerable extent. However, the war made a sudden change in our family system to bring about a new family form on the principle of individual dignity and equality of both sexes. The actual state of Japanese family at present, however, has two phases ; one can easily adapt a new institution as seen in large cities, while the other finds it difficult to get rid of old tradition as still existed in rural communities. It is no doubt an interesting ploblem for the study of family in postwar Japan to see how the new family system, which made a legal change ahead of actual change, will have our actual family life changed. From the point of view mentioned above, we shall try to analyze the changes of postwar Japanese family from both sides of its structure and function. 2. Stagnation appeared on family structure -Generally speaking, Japanese family has not changed much in the size of household and the structure of kin-relations, and the average number of its members has tended a little to increase. This tendency has mainly come from the shortage of houses, a great number of repatriates from abroad, and moreover, the rising up of average marital age. 3. Changes shown in inner family structure -If we take up the problem of family authority as one of the phases of the inner family structure, we fined that most people in both cities and villages affirm the principle of equality ideologically, but still in forming their actual relations depend on traditional principle, “authoritarianism” ; especially in rural communities.. 4. Basic problems between parents and children. 5. Various problems of marital relations We examine how those problems mentioned above show on the relations of parents and children, and of man and wife.6. Changes in the function of family -It is generally said that the function of family has gradually decreased. This tendency is most evident in the secondary functions of family, such as economic and productive functions, protective, educational and religious functions, in addition. to the function which makes possible the socialization of the minor members.