Family Behavior of Japanese and Slovak Populationsfferences Similarities and Di

• Published in: Geographical Review of Japan Vol. 79; no. 12; pp. 644 - 663
• Main Authors: KOBAYASHI, Koji, MLÁDEK, Jozef, ŠIROCKOVÁ, Jana, KOBAYASHI, Tsukiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Association of Japanese Geographers 2006
• Subjects: abortion; cohabitation; divorce; extra-marital birth; family behavior; nuptiality
• ISSN: 1347-9555; 2185-1727
• DOI: 10.4157/grj.79.12_644

The purpose of this study is to recognize and illustrate the presentation of principal developmental trends, regional differences and causal implications of selected population processes, which characterize similar and different features of family behavior of populations in Japan and Slovakia. Our analysis reveals that in spite of a strong influence of family traditions, family behaviour has changed in Slovakia and in Japan. Changes of traditional family behaviour in Slovakia are characterised by a decrease in the marriage rate and a subsequent increase in the age of marriage, a slowly increasing divorce rate, a decrease in abortion levels, and a gradual spreading of informal partner bonds (cohabitations). The past model of early marriage has changed to a model of late marriage. The family in Japan had traditionally economic, cultural, reproductive and educational functions. In spite of certain changes in family behaviour, these functions have been preserved. Changes in family behaviour in Japan include an increasing age of marriage, and an increasing share of “single” households. On the other hand, the low level of the divorce rate, small number of cohabitations, and the low level of extra-marital fertility seems to confirm the conservatism of the family. Changes in family behaviour of inhabitants in Japan and Slovakia seem to have some similarities with those in the West European countries. Further analysis of the 2nd demographic transition is required.