I think Kiyoshi's parents had so many children for several different reasons. The first one that come's to my mind is that birth control was not an option back in that time. Some forms of birth control were known by some cultures, but it wasn't a thing that was practiced in those days. The idea was men and women got married and had a family, and you were blessed with as many children as you had. Nobody thought about numbers of children. They just happened, and were accepted. In these modern days, some countries actually regulate how many children can be born to each household, and in other countries, people are concerned about the impact that many children will have on them.
I think another reason for so many children might be because they thought more children would bring greater fortune and happiness to their family. Japanese culture is filled with many beliefs and superstitions, and having many kids might be a part of it. There is always the belief of the First Born Son, who is to take responsibility for the family in the event that the father is gone, but if the First Born Son is unavailable, then that position goes to the Next Born Son, and down the line. Having many sons was more ideal than daughters, whom had little value to the family. But ideally, many children could also bring many more connections to other families and wealth and opportunity from their future marriages.
Personally, I came from a large family, with many siblings, and I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. We have wonderful memories of growing up together, the good times definitely outshine the bad.
You have some great critical thinking about why Kiyoshi's parents had so many children. I agree with you in that they thought that the more children they had the better chance of having a greater fortune and happiness to their family. I think that they also kept having children because they were trying for more boys that would eventually be able to work and help the family get out of debt. I think that it is crazy that some countries, like China, have a limit to how many children a family can have, but I understand why they do it. They put the limits on how many children people can have for population control.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteYour comments are insightful! I think you're right that there are a combination of reasons including no access to birth control and needing more sons to help with the family debt.
The physical toll of having children, in addition to her poor living conditions make her seem much older than 37.
Thanks for your ideas.
Take care,
Lauren
Hello Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI really liked that you wrote about the birth control idea in your dialogue. You are right back in the day people had to accept the children that the world provided them with, this is still seen in very poor countries where they are still ignorant about the use of birth control. I also believe that siblings bring happiness to the family and the more children you have the better chances there is that one will become successful.
Thanks for Sharing,
Natalia
(: Hi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, birth control was not really an option. And it is true when people hear that two people are getting married they are eventually suppose to have a family. It's funny that you say that because my father-in-law thinks that way. He wonders what's wrong with this generation of kids.
I agree with you 100%. I think that having a big family is praised upon, however, if Kiyoshi's parents knew what a condom was, i think they would use it. I don't like the idea of China putting a hold on the amount of children people can have. I think that as long as people are not just having kids and not taking care of them it should be ok.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you included detailed descriptions on why someone would have a large family in cultural aspects as well as providing a comparison on how life was then compared to now. I myself did not grow up in a large family as my parents thought that 2 children would be enough. I think that everyone should have the right to choose how large a family they should have as long as they are able to care for them. The worse thing that can happen is having children and not being able to provide food to them. This will only lead to endless stress, crying children from hunger, and just endless thinking of how you are going to be able to provide. My mom still cries whenever she remembers a time in our lives in which we had suffored a huge financial loss and lost everything. I was about 6 years old and my brother 4 when this had happened and the part that hurt her most was when we past a McDonalds and I said out loud "mmmm....Comida!" (Spanish for food). It was then when my parents did everything in their power to make sure that we will never go hungry again and that we will live a prosperous life. I am happy to say that I'm glad my parents were able to move forward and have been doing very well since then and have always been able to provide to my brother and I when ever we needed it.
Can you believe we only have a couple of weeks left!! Good luck for the remainder of the semester and your future classes.
-Jaime Rivera
Hello,
ReplyDeleteYes I think the lack of birth control was a huge factor why they had so many children. I think that it shows a lack of responsibility though to have more children than you can really provide for. There definitely is alot of culture differences compared to what we are use to. Their culture beliefs and superstitions plays a large role in the decision and actions of this family. I also belief that there is an abundant amount of pressure on the children that is left with the debt and responsibility to take care of their parents.
Thanks for sharing,
Mandy Ericson
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI can see why you mention the lack of contraceptives during that time. They were frowned upon in the past because it was believed that it was only natural to have as many children as possible. Now a days the general view has changed. We certainly have the right to choose whether or not we want a large family or whether we want a family at all.
It's a large shift in society. I do think that it's for the better. We should all have the opportunity to make our own decisions without having others push their personal ideas upon us. I think that especially females have the right to decide whether or not they want children. You're not a bad person for not wanting kids. It's simply a matter of personal preference.
Hi Carrie- haha! you made me laugh when I read about the birth control, its so true. And in some cases its still true today, even tho its highly advertised some cultures choose not to learn about it or acknowledge it. They know what will happen without it, and they know how hard it is to care for children with no money yet they still have more children, I am not sure if I will ever understand that? I love how u said that you have a big family and would not trade it for all of the money in the world, I did not have a big family growing up, but I married into one and I would not trade it for all of the money in the world, there is always someone to call, there is always a house to go to when we are bored, there is never a dull moment. Its great!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks
EMily