I am a 13-year-old student in Kyoto. I lived in the United States for three years. I saw how people treat older and younger people in both countries. In Japan, older people get a lot of respect. Younger people listen to them. In America, older people are respected, but younger people have more freedom. I want to learn why these attitudes are different. How do people act with older and younger people? What makes these ways special? I write this to share what I learned about attitudes toward age in America and Japan. It is fun to compare them.
In Japan, older people are very important. They are seen as wise and strong. People respect them because they have more experience. For example, my grandfather is 70. Everyone in my family listens to him. When he talks, we stay quiet. We call older people by special names, like “ojiisan” for grandfather or “sensei” for a teacher. We use polite words, like “desu” or “masu,” when we talk to them. At home, older people sit at the best place at the table. In public, people give seats to older people on trains or buses. My father always stands for an older person. Japan has a special holiday, Respect for the Aged Day, to honor older people. It is in September. We visit grandparents and give gifts.
In America, older people are respected, but it is different. People see them as important, but not always wiser. My American friend’s grandmother is 65. She is fun and tells stories, but the family doesn’t always listen quietly. Americans call older people by first names, like “Mary” or “John,” not special titles. They use the same words for everyone, not polite forms. At home, older people sit anywhere, not a special place. In public, some people give seats to older people, but not always. I saw young people keep seats on a bus in America. There is no holiday for older people, but families visit grandparents on days like Thanksgiving. I think Japan’s respect is strong, but America’s is more casual.
Younger people are treated differently. In Japan, younger people must listen to older people. Children obey parents, teachers, and elders. My mother tells me to do homework, and I do it. At school, students follow rules and don’t argue with teachers. Younger people use polite words to older people, even if they are only a little older. For example, I call my older cousin “nii-san,” meaning big brother. Younger people help older people, like carrying bags or cleaning. In my town, children visit older neighbors to help. Younger people have less power. They wait for older people to decide things.
In America, younger people have more freedom. Children can talk back to parents or teachers. My American friend argued with his mother about bedtime, and it was okay. At school, students ask questions and share ideas. Teachers listen to them. Younger people call older people by first names, like calling a teacher “Mr. Tom.” They don’t use special polite words. Younger people don’t always help older people. I saw kids play instead of helping a neighbor. In America, younger people have a voice. They can decide things, like what game to play or what to eat. I like Japan’s rules, but America’s freedom is fun.
Family roles are different. In Japan, older people lead the family. Grandparents often live with their children. My grandfather lives with us. He tells stories and helps me with homework. Parents listen to grandparents about big decisions, like buying a house. Younger people obey and learn from older people. I help my grandmother cook because she teaches me. Families are close, and older people are the center. In Japan, respect for age makes families strong.
In America, families are more equal. Older people, like grandparents, don’t always live with their children. My American friend’s grandparents live in another state. They visit on holidays, but they don’t lead the family. Parents decide things, but children share ideas. My friend chose his room’s color, and his parents agreed. Younger people don’t always obey. They can say no or ask why. Grandparents are loved, but they are more like friends. I think Japan’s family is strict, but America’s family is open.
At school, attitudes are different. In Japan, older students have power. High school students, called “senpai,” help younger students, called “kohai.” I am a kohai to my older friend at school. He teaches me about clubs. Younger students listen to senpai and use polite words. Teachers are older, so students respect them a lot. We bow to teachers and don’t talk back. In America, older students are not so special. They are friends, not leaders. My American school had no senpai or kohai. Everyone was equal. Teachers are respected, but students call them by names and ask questions. I like Japan’s respect, but America’s equality is nice.
In public, behavior is different. In Japan, younger people are quiet around older people. On trains, children stand for elders. In shops, workers use polite words to older customers. My mother says it’s rude to be loud near older people. Older people walk first, and younger people follow. In America, public behavior is more relaxed. Younger people don’t always stand for older people. In shops, workers are friendly to everyone, not extra polite to elders. Younger people can be loud, and older people don’t mind. I saw kids run in a park, and older people smiled. I think Japan’s way is polite, but America’s way is free.
Work is different. In Japan, older workers are important. They have better jobs and more money. My father says his boss, an older man, gets respect. Younger workers listen and learn. They use polite words, like “san,” for older workers. Companies keep older workers until they retire. In America, older workers are respected, but skills matter more than age. My uncle in America says his young coworker is a manager because she is good. Younger workers can lead older ones. They call each other by first names. I like Japan’s respect for older workers, but America’s focus on skills is fair.
Culture makes attitudes different. In Japan, culture is about respect and order. People value age because it means wisdom. My teacher says Japan’s history, like living in small villages, made respect for elders strong. Families stay close, and older people teach younger ones. In Japan, groups are important, not just one person. I think it makes life calm. In America, culture is about freedom and equality. People value ideas, not just age. My American friend says history, like moving to new lands, made people independent. Everyone has a voice, young or old. I think it makes life exciting.
Technology changes attitudes. In Japan, older people use phones less. Younger people teach them. My grandmother learned LINE from me. Younger people respect older people by helping with technology. In America, older people use phones more. They learn apps like Facebook or Zoom. Younger people don’t need to teach as much. My American friend’s grandfather plays online games. I like Japan’s helping, but America’s older people are active online.
Problems are different. In Japan, too much respect for older people can stop new ideas. Younger people don’t speak up. My cousin wants to change his job but listens to his father. In America, less respect for older people can make families far apart. My American friend sees his grandparents only once a year. Both countries try to fix this. Japan teaches young people to share ideas. America helps families stay close. I hope both get better.
At home, attitudes are different. In Japan, younger people do chores for older people. I clean for my grandmother. Older people rest or give advice. In America, everyone does chores. My American friend’s grandfather cooks dinner. Younger people don’t always obey. They choose their tasks. I like Japan’s help for elders, but America’s teamwork is good.
In society, attitudes are different. In Japan, older people are cared for. They get money from the government and free bus rides. My grandfather gets a pension. Younger people work to support them. In America, older people are independent. They save money for retirement. My American friend’s grandmother works part-time. Younger people don’t support elders as much. I think Japan’s care is kind, but America’s independence is strong.
I learned a lot about attitudes in Japan and America. Japan respects older people and controls younger ones. It shows wisdom and order. America respects everyone and gives younger people freedom. It shows equality and energy. Both are good in different ways. Japan’s way makes life stable. America’s way makes life open. If I choose, I want Japan’s respect and America’s freedom. As I write this, I think about my family in both places. Age is different, but love for people is the same everywhere.