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OP here - just my own thoughts: I've lived here 13 years & am raising 2 girls who both have been able to live in the manner described in the article. 1) The n

by jmadsen 11y ago

OP here - just my own thoughts: I've lived here 13 years & am raising 2 girls who both have been able to live in the manner described in the article. 1) The number one reason why we feel comfortable is the number of "safe" people constantly around. In Japan, every apartment building of size has maintenance people who stay several years and know all the children in the neighborhood, and recognize strangers. Every supermarket has parking attendants. Every construction site has "guards" to make sure people cross the area safely. Every train station has staff around. Many grade schools have patrols of parents who literally "sweep" the neighborhood right before school lets out, just checking that no "out of place" people are hanging around in the parks and neighborhoods. What this REALLY adds up to is like the article said - there are always people out there keeping an eye on things. 2) "Japan is safe" - yes, but assaults on children/young people are a problem, and parents worry. My first point prolly rules, but we are still selective in when & where they can do that. We make sure someone is meeting them on the other end. It IS safe, but not all "roses". Just my thoughts

sosborn 11y ago
Lived there for 10 years with two young children and I completely agree with your first point. The sense of community and shared responsibility is much greater there IMO.
bsder 11y ago
> assaults on children/young people are a problem, and parents worry. Statistically, they are a very low problem if we disregard assaults by family members. It may be that, in the US, CPS may be more of a hazard than strangers at this point. The fact that the US is pedestrian-hostile is more problematic. For any given segment of a trip in Japan, there are probably other adult pedestrians walking that segment as well. If a child simply "falls in" with a group going the right way for several small segments sequentially, they will have the right behavior. In the US, there are very likely not fellow pedestrians for children to emulate except in the very biggest cities.
- jmadsen 11y ago
  Statistically, yes. However, there is rarely a week that goes by without some incident of kidnapping & murder. The point being only that is DOES exist & parents see it and consider it, but it has not turned into the "helicopter syndrome" like in the US
bsder 11y ago
> In Japan, every apartment building of size has maintenance people who stay several years and know all the children in the neighborhood, and recognize strangers. Every supermarket has parking attendants. Every construction site has "guards" to make sure people cross the area safely. Every train station has staff around. It is difficult to have this when a man interacting with a small child is at risk of being accused of being a pedophile.
- jzwinck 11y ago
  Most of what was described is people protecting children or pedestrians not by interacting with them, but by interacting with motorists, strangers, etc. For example, many construction sites in Japan, as well as many shopping malls and large car parks, have a person at the exit who watches the street and stops vehicles from exiting when cross traffic is present. A pedestrian, child, or cyclist on the pavement need not do anything, the system is passive for them.
- lovemenot 11y ago
  I fully agree agree. The most shameful moment I experienced in England, when I lived there with my small children whom we'd previously raised in Japan, was when I was asked by a concerned parent whether I had a permit to be in a place where children were present. Apparently all of those other parents had already applied to the government and been vetted to be in a play room attached to a public library. That was when I realised things were not the same in England. I felt sickened and angry at a such society-wide presumption of guilt.
  - Abraln 11y ago
    In the US, any adult male who wants to be an elementary school teacher is looked at as a potential predator. Parents will literally ask to have their kids transferred to a different class because of it.
  - 6t6t6 11y ago
    I am a Spaniard who lived in UK and I feel that this is the most sick aspect of British society. For them, every single man is a monster that will molest children if he has the opportunity. Things like sitting on a bench to read next to the children's playground, or crossing a park next to them, can put you in trouble.

by jmadsen 11y ago

sosborn 11y ago

Lived there for 10 years with two young children and I completely agree with your first point. The sense of community and shared responsibility is much greater there IMO.

bsder 11y ago

> assaults on children/young people are a problem, and parents worry. Statistically, they are a very low problem if we disregard assaults by family members. It may be that, in the US, CPS may be more of a hazard than strangers at this point. The fact that the US is pedestrian-hostile is more problematic. For any given segment of a trip in Japan, there are probably other adult pedestrians walking that segment as well. If a child simply "falls in" with a group going the right way for several small segments sequentially, they will have the right behavior. In the US, there are very likely not fellow pedestrians for children to emulate except in the very biggest cities.

jmadsen 11y ago
Statistically, yes. However, there is rarely a week that goes by without some incident of kidnapping & murder. The point being only that is DOES exist & parents see it and consider it, but it has not turned into the "helicopter syndrome" like in the US

bsder 11y ago

> In Japan, every apartment building of size has maintenance people who stay several years and know all the children in the neighborhood, and recognize strangers. Every supermarket has parking attendants. Every construction site has "guards" to make sure people cross the area safely. Every train station has staff around. It is difficult to have this when a man interacting with a small child is at risk of being accused of being a pedophile.

jzwinck 11y ago
Most of what was described is people protecting children or pedestrians not by interacting with them, but by interacting with motorists, strangers, etc. For example, many construction sites in Japan, as well as many shopping malls and large car parks, have a person at the exit who watches the street and stops vehicles from exiting when cross traffic is present. A pedestrian, child, or cyclist on the pavement need not do anything, the system is passive for them.
lovemenot 11y ago
I fully agree agree. The most shameful moment I experienced in England, when I lived there with my small children whom we'd previously raised in Japan, was when I was asked by a concerned parent whether I had a permit to be in a place where children were present. Apparently all of those other parents had already applied to the government and been vetted to be in a play room attached to a public library. That was when I realised things were not the same in England. I felt sickened and angry at a such society-wide presumption of guilt.
- Abraln 11y ago
  In the US, any adult male who wants to be an elementary school teacher is looked at as a potential predator. Parents will literally ask to have their kids transferred to a different class because of it.
- 6t6t6 11y ago
  I am a Spaniard who lived in UK and I feel that this is the most sick aspect of British society. For them, every single man is a monster that will molest children if he has the opportunity. Things like sitting on a bench to read next to the children's playground, or crossing a park next to them, can put you in trouble.