Shared Stories, Shared Emotions: Empathy in Japanese and American Parent–Child Reading

This study examines how empathy is socialized in Japanese and American parent–child dyads during shared book reading. It investigates scaffolding methods used by parents to help children recognize, understand, and express empathy. Data from 155 families (103 Japanese, 52 American) were collected using a wordless picture book. The findings show that while cultural differences in emotional scaffolding exist, both American and Japanese parents referenced emotions with similar frequency, challenging assumptions about empathy differences. Japanese parents often enacted characters' emotions, whereas American parents preferred a question-driven approach focusing on understanding emotions. The findings enhance understanding of how parental interactions during reading can shape children's emotional development, revealing both cultural nuances and commonalities.