JP 2700 Lecture 5: Japanese Socialization and Classification Part 2
Document Summary
Another way in which the distinction between uchi and soto is made clear to a child is found in changes in the behaviour of adults depending on whether they are inside or outside of the home. This difference in behaviour corresponds to the difference between tatemae (public behaviour) and honne (one s real feelings). The ability to distinguish between tatemae and honne is regarded as a mark of maturity. The conscious awareness of different sorts of tatemae behaviour is learnt only gradually, and it is associated with the emphasis placed on harmony, which is another important aspect of japanese social relations. An ideal child is a (cid:498)bright,(cid:499) cheerful child and, once past the baby stage, a crying child is described as (cid:498)strange,(cid:499) or (cid:498)peculiar. (cid:499) Mina-san is a collective term to refer to the whole group and its needs. The children are also encouraged to take care of the kindergarten property in the name of its corporate owners (mina-san).
