How Japanese schools are different

[packman]

Personally I like the uniform part and the no-janitor system. The Kancho-ing the teacher , well - that is going too far.


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http://mentalfloss.com/us/go/64054

[yeoman6987]

1. I think uniforms should be mandatory for all schools

For on thing it would prevent poor shaming cuz everyone would wear the same clothes. That actually my main reason for uniforms. I don't think they need to be made to look military or catholic school but something agreeable to all.

The Saturday school I am definitely against.

[malthaussen]

2. The flip side of the argument is that uniforms are representations of conformity.

Let's all march in nice, straight rows, look and act absolutely alike, and vote the straight party ticket.

Mind you, I campaigned against dress codes in my junior high days back in the 60's, so I'm hardly impartial.

-- Mal

[yeoman6987]

3. That is certainly a negative in the situation

And I respect that, but kids are so crewl especially those who get their clothes at discount stores and not Macy's and up. Now maybe I have watched to many movies that I may have concluded its worse then it really is which is definitely possible.

[NobodyHere]

13. I went to a school with uniforms

Kids are still cruel, they just find another reason to be cruel. It's not the clothes that make them that way.

[The2ndWheel]

4. We can't have everything

We want everyone to be treated the same, but at the same time, we want everyone to be different. Everyone should be treated as individuals, but there's power in numbers. A constant push and pull between the individual and the collective. Local business vs. giant corporation. State government vs. federal government. The threat of conformity vs. the threat of being singled out for whatever reason. We don't know what we want.

[eridani]

11. That's why I appreciated the uniforms we wore in Catholic schools

I hated to waste time thinking about what I was going to wear--not a morning person then or now. i can see the conformity objection, though.

[hack89]

5. They also have a huge problem with bullying, depression and teen suicides

It is a brutal experience being a student in Japan - long hours, private lessons after school, high expectations and enormous pressure not to shame one's family by failing to get into a good college.

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/06/21/japan-looks-to-address-bullying-suicides-at-schools-2/

http://www.japantoday.com/category/kuchikomi/view/childrens-depression-and-suicide-a-worsening-problem

[Art_from_Ark]

14. It depends a lot on the location and the parents

Not all Japanese parents expect their kids to be overachievers, although there are "kyouiku mama" types who push their kids to achieve in school. I have known lots of Japanese students, and while there have been some malcontents among them, most of them say/have said they enjoy(ed) their school lives. Failing to get into a "good" university (Todai, Kyodai, etc.) is only a shame among the upper crust of Japanese society. Failing to get admitted to any university used to be a shame in the past, but these days not so much.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. I recognize the location of that picture

It's a shrine in Tokyo, and the lanterns are part of a festival that's held every July.

[Jesus Malverde]

7. Corporal punishment and tolerated bullying by peers.

Hammering down the nail that sticks up.

No school busses, walk, public transport or bike.

Kids leave the house in the morning and often not home until late at night after cram school.

It's an alternative approach that wouldn't work in the states.

Japanese kids are mostly awesome, but the American litigious society, coupled with our diverse wouldn't let that model flourish in the states. Interesting read none the less.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. Private Japanese schools usually have their own busses

but the busses usually pick up the kids at central locations, like train stations.

[Jesus Malverde]

12. Thanks

I wasn't sure about corporal punishment, they're trying to phase out no?

[Art_from_Ark]

15. I haven't heard of corporal punishment

in any of the schools I'm familiar with, although they could still have it in places like the local K High School, which is a kind of dumping ground for misfits and troublemakers.

[Bonobo]

16. Oh it exists but is getting less and less common.

It is officially outlawed, but some teachers still get physical.

[Jesus Malverde]

17. I was thinking more a slap to the head

Rather than the British style flogging.

[Bonobo]

19. Oh yes slap. There is no flogging. Nt

[Bonobo]

8. Kancho memorialized in bronze

[Bonobo]

9. A massive difference is...

the efforts that teachers make towards creating a cohesive group.

No one is kicked out, everyone has a place in the group and much of teacher training is devoted to building a sense of the entire class as a unit.

As far as I know, that just doesn't happen in the US in the same way. You may think it does, but if you had experienced both, you would realize the scope of the difference.

[Jesus Malverde]

18. Good point

I understand special Ed students while given special care are considered part of The class for theirs age group.