Mothers' Strategies For Children's Education: Japanese Sojourn Families In Hawai'i

Abstract

This study of educational strategies of Japanese sojourn families in Hawai'i reveals the various actions, tactics, and thoughts of mothers toward their children's success in the classroom in Hawai'i as well as upon their return to Japan. Through a qualitative research based on the interviews, this study finds that Japanese mothers may carefully choose the time of sojourning and the school to which their children will go, provide extensive tutoring and/or send them to extra curricular activities, and take advantage of the networks they have built among friends, other mothers, and teachers. Mothers devote themselves to their children's education out of a sense of responsibility as parents and/or a belief that education is an investment. Finally, this study suggests that various organizations should assist children and parents by providing information and services to help them cope with problems faced before, during and upon completion of their sojourn.