SMercury (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} smercury) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} innocent_ami,@ 2008-06-19 20:02:00 |
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Japanese Education - The Stress of Studying
Update! I've finally gotten around to actually putting up two of the articles I've written about Ami-related subjects. The first one that came to mind was this whole about Japanese education and its rigorous system:
In the anime, Ami is relentless in her studies. It is difficult to not find her somewhere reading a book, writing down notes, or reminding her friends that "we should take this time down to study!" And you may wonder why. Why is Ami's character the staple of the 'proper' Asian student? What makes her so stressed out and worried? The Japanese education system, that's what. The 'entrance exams' Ami speaks about are for admission into high school .... high school! Japanese high schools are renowed for their competitiveness and price - meaning, their admission procedures rival those of university admission in other countries.[1] However, though this rigorous system of education has resulted in very impressive education standards internationally, the psychological developments of the students can be troubling.[2]
"Good girl[, Usagi]. It's about time you started studying" - Luna, Episode 8
Education is compulsory for children until the age of 15 (though many continue on into high-school and even post-secondary school).[3] Nevertheless, neither public nor private schools are free, putting much pressure on students from their parents to do well in their studies and get 'what they paid for.'[3] This does add reason to why Usagi's mother always wants to see Usagi's grades and is very angry whenever she fails her tests.
The government highly monitors the education system, curriculum, and even student behaviors in Japan.[2] It's not necessary a bad phenomena; it leads to better standards nationwide for students and that their is homogeneity between schools. Nevertheless, some believe that this process strips students of a "humane education" and self-discovery.[2]. Secondary schools enact school codes which dictate student behaviors on and off campus. Schools are usually held responsible when students run in trouble with the law.[1]
Remember when Ami and Makoto first's day in junior high-school? In the manga, they both still wear their old school uniforms to class. School require proper grooming, mandatory dress, and non-distracting hair styles.[2] (We all know that Ami's blue hair would not cut it in real-life, though it is at an acceptable length.) Ami and Makoto are both isolated from the social circles in their new junior high because of their dress; it makes them different from the group and immediately brings bad attention to them. One writer suggests that "Japanese education makes quite the same people and disregards their personalities."[2]
"Now that we're released from that hardship [of studying], let's enjoy ourselves!" - Rei, Episode 167.
One of the most defining factors of Japanese education is entry exams and placements. It is still believed that chances of getting of a good job are based highly on educational achievements: placements, grades, scores.[4] It is generally required to take entrance exams each time a student changes educational institutions (including non-affiliated transitions). Rei's school is privately-owned and is affiliated with her high school in an "elevator system"; however, she did have to "test-in" in order to attend.[3] Mugen Gakuen is also an example of this system.
Because intensity and fierce competitiveness created by these exams, many students attended after-school "cram schools" to prepare.[4] Ami is the only major character mentioned who attends juku (Crystal Seminar). Over 75% of elementary-level and 25% of junior high-level students attend these popular "shadow education" facilities. Crystal Seminar would probably be considered shingaku juku (advancement school) since it heavily prepares students for shiken jigoku or "exam hell".[3]
"But I'm sure they all have dreams about their future..." - Ami, Episode 122.
General classroom rules: work hard and shut up. Students in Japan work under rigorous and demanding conditions. Like many other Asian countries, rules are taken very seriously and are instilled at an early age.[5] One reporter states that students are unwillingly to speak out in class for fear of disturbing learning progression.[2] Usually, teachers call on students to answer questions and give responses as shown in many of the earlier BSSM episodes (and quite a number of anime). I've spoken previously about the rigidity behind dress, presentation, and behavior; foreign students are usually marked and discriminated against because of their (usually American) attitudes, individualized dress, and "defiant" behavior.[2] Teacher appear to "like" students who follow instruction and do not disturb the flow of class.[4]
Teaching styles are generally standardized in many of the lower-levels. It is to the point where content and time spent are outlined and highly encouraged.[2] Japanese education stresses memorization information.[5] Teachers stress the "quantity of knowledge," enforcing regurgitation of known and accepted facts.[2] Some feel this creates bias within in the classroom and permits the manufacturing of "worker bees" who do what they are told, not what they believe. However, considering the complexity of Japanese reading and writing, this is not an unwarranted teaching method and has generated near-perfect literacy across the state.[5]
Basic curriculum covers Japanese language, social studies, fine arts, mathematics, the sciences, and health education. Students are also instructed in industrial and homemaking arts as well as a recent emphasis on Japanese history and culture.[1] Nevertheless, Japanese students obtain some of the most impressive scores internationally in the math and science divisions.[5]
Excerpts from Nozaki Yuko's article explain her opinion on the development of Japanese students and its problems:
Critiques of Japanese education follow suit. There are a growing number of stress-related disorders developing in young adults as well as social withdrawal and isolation.[2] It's so common that is it a recurring subject in TV dramas, anime, and manga! Youth suicides rates are also tragically growing. Suicide deaths rose for elementary and middle school-level students by 57.6% in 2003.[6]
Japan has long emphasized appreciation for unity and community rather than individualism; however, new policies are allowing students to express their own opinions and individualism. Some classes participate in class discussions on subject matter; foreign teachers are welcomed to serve on school boards and foreign languages which result in new teaching styles being introduced into Japanese education.[1] I believe Ami's strong attention to her education reflects impact of the old and the new educational system on her. Though she absorbs much of her information and responses according to Japanese educational principles, her consistent high-marks make her and individual in her own right; she's successfully penetrated the uniformity of Japanese education and has become just the opposite!
So, why do you study?
1 Secondary education in Japan. Wikipedia.org.
2 Trouble Maker: The Japanese School System. Compass Online.
3 Japan's Educational System. Japan Reference.
4 A Look inside a Japanese School. CNNMoney.com.
5 School. TrekJapan.com.
6 Suicide also rises in the land of rising sun. Asia Times Online.
Update! I've finally gotten around to actually putting up two of the articles I've written about Ami-related subjects. The first one that came to mind was this whole about Japanese education and its rigorous system:
In the anime, Ami is relentless in her studies. It is difficult to not find her somewhere reading a book, writing down notes, or reminding her friends that "we should take this time down to study!" And you may wonder why. Why is Ami's character the staple of the 'proper' Asian student? What makes her so stressed out and worried? The Japanese education system, that's what. The 'entrance exams' Ami speaks about are for admission into high school .... high school! Japanese high schools are renowed for their competitiveness and price - meaning, their admission procedures rival those of university admission in other countries.[1] However, though this rigorous system of education has resulted in very impressive education standards internationally, the psychological developments of the students can be troubling.[2]
"Good girl[, Usagi]. It's about time you started studying" - Luna, Episode 8
Education is compulsory for children until the age of 15 (though many continue on into high-school and even post-secondary school).[3] Nevertheless, neither public nor private schools are free, putting much pressure on students from their parents to do well in their studies and get 'what they paid for.'[3] This does add reason to why Usagi's mother always wants to see Usagi's grades and is very angry whenever she fails her tests.
The government highly monitors the education system, curriculum, and even student behaviors in Japan.[2] It's not necessary a bad phenomena; it leads to better standards nationwide for students and that their is homogeneity between schools. Nevertheless, some believe that this process strips students of a "humane education" and self-discovery.[2]. Secondary schools enact school codes which dictate student behaviors on and off campus. Schools are usually held responsible when students run in trouble with the law.[1]
Remember when Ami and Makoto first's day in junior high-school? In the manga, they both still wear their old school uniforms to class. School require proper grooming, mandatory dress, and non-distracting hair styles.[2] (We all know that Ami's blue hair would not cut it in real-life, though it is at an acceptable length.) Ami and Makoto are both isolated from the social circles in their new junior high because of their dress; it makes them different from the group and immediately brings bad attention to them. One writer suggests that "Japanese education makes quite the same people and disregards their personalities."[2]
"Now that we're released from that hardship [of studying], let's enjoy ourselves!" - Rei, Episode 167.
One of the most defining factors of Japanese education is entry exams and placements. It is still believed that chances of getting of a good job are based highly on educational achievements: placements, grades, scores.[4] It is generally required to take entrance exams each time a student changes educational institutions (including non-affiliated transitions). Rei's school is privately-owned and is affiliated with her high school in an "elevator system"; however, she did have to "test-in" in order to attend.[3] Mugen Gakuen is also an example of this system.
Because intensity and fierce competitiveness created by these exams, many students attended after-school "cram schools" to prepare.[4] Ami is the only major character mentioned who attends juku (Crystal Seminar). Over 75% of elementary-level and 25% of junior high-level students attend these popular "shadow education" facilities. Crystal Seminar would probably be considered shingaku juku (advancement school) since it heavily prepares students for shiken jigoku or "exam hell".[3]
"But I'm sure they all have dreams about their future..." - Ami, Episode 122.
General classroom rules: work hard and shut up. Students in Japan work under rigorous and demanding conditions. Like many other Asian countries, rules are taken very seriously and are instilled at an early age.[5] One reporter states that students are unwillingly to speak out in class for fear of disturbing learning progression.[2] Usually, teachers call on students to answer questions and give responses as shown in many of the earlier BSSM episodes (and quite a number of anime). I've spoken previously about the rigidity behind dress, presentation, and behavior; foreign students are usually marked and discriminated against because of their (usually American) attitudes, individualized dress, and "defiant" behavior.[2] Teacher appear to "like" students who follow instruction and do not disturb the flow of class.[4]
Teaching styles are generally standardized in many of the lower-levels. It is to the point where content and time spent are outlined and highly encouraged.[2] Japanese education stresses memorization information.[5] Teachers stress the "quantity of knowledge," enforcing regurgitation of known and accepted facts.[2] Some feel this creates bias within in the classroom and permits the manufacturing of "worker bees" who do what they are told, not what they believe. However, considering the complexity of Japanese reading and writing, this is not an unwarranted teaching method and has generated near-perfect literacy across the state.[5]
Basic curriculum covers Japanese language, social studies, fine arts, mathematics, the sciences, and health education. Students are also instructed in industrial and homemaking arts as well as a recent emphasis on Japanese history and culture.[1] Nevertheless, Japanese students obtain some of the most impressive scores internationally in the math and science divisions.[5]
Excerpts from Nozaki Yuko's article explain her opinion on the development of Japanese students and its problems:
... students cannot develop their own opinions or admit other students' personality differences. This situation is not natural or good because we are different from one another and in this world there are many kinds of people. We need to respect and adapt to differences between each other.
When the children cannot absorb new knowledge, think many things, or grow up mentally, they cannot have a chance to run up against different ideas and know themselves. Finally they tend to lack a spirit of independence and responsibility for themselves.
... many students go to high school is that they don't have a spirit of independence or their own opinion thanks to the group education. For that reason, they simply tend to go with the society and the times. Another reason is that the parents who have a student refusing to go to high school are ashamed because almost all children now go to high school. The students refusing to go to high school are at a loss and regarded as problem children.
Critiques of Japanese education follow suit. There are a growing number of stress-related disorders developing in young adults as well as social withdrawal and isolation.[2] It's so common that is it a recurring subject in TV dramas, anime, and manga! Youth suicides rates are also tragically growing. Suicide deaths rose for elementary and middle school-level students by 57.6% in 2003.[6]
Japan has long emphasized appreciation for unity and community rather than individualism; however, new policies are allowing students to express their own opinions and individualism. Some classes participate in class discussions on subject matter; foreign teachers are welcomed to serve on school boards and foreign languages which result in new teaching styles being introduced into Japanese education.[1] I believe Ami's strong attention to her education reflects impact of the old and the new educational system on her. Though she absorbs much of her information and responses according to Japanese educational principles, her consistent high-marks make her and individual in her own right; she's successfully penetrated the uniformity of Japanese education and has become just the opposite!
So, why do you study?
1 Secondary education in Japan. Wikipedia.org.
2 Trouble Maker: The Japanese School System. Compass Online.
3 Japan's Educational System. Japan Reference.
4 A Look inside a Japanese School. CNNMoney.com.
5 School. TrekJapan.com.
6 Suicide also rises in the land of rising sun. Asia Times Online.
