Raising children between cultures : a small-scale study of three intercultural families in Japan

The purpose of this small-scale study was to analyze the experiences of transcultural parenting to determine some of the current trends and challenges of parenting interculturally in Japan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three intercultural parents in Japan. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data and understand the meanings of the participants’ experiences. The findings revealed that not only were participants’ cultural backgrounds influential, but systemic and contextual factors also impacted the way parents raised their children. Discoveries also included common benefits and opportunities of intercultural parenting as a source of strength rather than a weakness. Findings have also identified that intercultural parents provide their children with a sense of belonging to a richer, evolving multicultural world both inside and outside Japan. The current study aimed to explore the experiences of intercultural parents from a strengths-based perspective. This study, therefore, focused on the transformations derived from intercultural parenting and proposes advice for intercultural couples, based on findings of a qualitative study of the experiences of intercultural parents in Japan. It is the hopes of the researcher that the narratives in this study will generate helpful advice for current and future intercultural couples and parents in Japan.