The series of this theme session of 2009-2010 was held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Japan Society of Family Sociology (JSFS). While, in 2009, we summarized family studies after 1990 focusing on theoretical trends, in the 2010 session we concentrated on methodological development and the future tasks of this field. The following three reports were presented: qualitative studies (Isao Kido), quantitative studies (Tokio Yasuda), and historical studies (Chiyo Yonemura). Kazue Muta and Hideki Watanabe then commented on these reports. This session was actualized by the joint planning of the editorial and research committees of JSFS, on which Hiroko Fujisaki and Masahiro Yamada served as chairpersons. The reports and discussions are able to be summarized in the following three points: (1) “Conversation” is important between the different methods and adjacent study fields. (2) Consideration of the relationship between the technical and theoretical aspects of the methodology is needed. (3) Sensitivity in diversity and the changeability of “family” is needed. Above all, we have to reconsider the mission of our academic society to cope with these tasks.

View full abstract

This paper attempts to review qualitative research conducted in Japanese family sociology over the past two decades and considers its current status and issues. The results of qualitative research published in the Japanese Journal of Family Sociology (1989-2010) are examined from the viewpoint of the number of articles, the data and its collection methods, methodologies, and subject matters. The number of articles saw a relatively increase after 2000. In addition, there are several studies focusing on personal experiences and using people's “talk” as data collected through interviews; however, there are few arguments about methodologies and theoretical assumptions. Based on this overview, the validity of methods and the generalizability of findings are discussed as issues closely concerning qualitative research. It could be said that validity and generalizabillity are secured by clearly demonstrating the relevance of procedures in the research process and by clarifying theoretical assumptions. At the same time, it clarifies the significance of the findings in family sociology. This paper suggests that we should consider the relationships between qualitative and quantitative research in terms of the generalizability of findings.

View full abstract

In this paper, I explored guidelines for advancing methodologies in Japanese family sociology by reviewing research over the past twenty years. I analyzed 234 articles in the Japanese Journal of Family Sociology and showed changes over three distinct periods from 1989 to 2010. The results were as followings: (1) The proportion of empirical studies increased steadily. (2) The amount of qualitative research conducted increased for investigations concerning families with serious problems; in contrast, quantitative research came to concentrate on studies involving nonproblematic families. (3) Quantitative research methods advanced in certain respects: the proportion of research based on nation wide samples reached one third of quantitative research in the second period, and about eighty percent of quantitative research came to use multivariate analyses in the third period. (4) On the other hand, the number of face-to-face interviews decreased, and highly advanced statistical analytical methods were hardly used. Lastly, I discussed how quantitative and qualitative research should be related to each other, and how we should relate to other academic societies involved in family studies. I, then proposed ways to activate NFRJ for more collaborative studies.

View full abstract

The aim of this paper is to review historical methods and perspectives on Japanese family sociology over the last twenty years. I focus mainly on the two following contributions: 1) methodological progress and specialization; 2) the advance of modern family theory. These contributions contain longitudinal, comparative perspectives and interdisciplinary discussions. Through historical studies, we can recapture the contemporary Japanese family reflectively and have some prospect of the postmodern family. In the conclusion, I indicate further issues of historical studies on family sociology. Further discussions between different methods and perspectives should bring greater outcomes for the advance of family sociology.

View full abstract

The aim of this theme session was to explore the changing family and its diversity in advanced Western welfare states that have witnessed dramatic changes in family life and family structure. Based upon the welfare regime typology proposed by Esping-Andersen, three prototypical states were selected for consideration: the United States, representing a “liberal regime”; Sweden, typical of a “social democratic regime”; and France, representing a “corporatist regime. Three papers were presented at the session: “American Families and Sociological Studies—Transformation and the current situation,” by Masako Ishii-Kuntz, “Transformation of the Swedish Family: Family Policy and Family Practices,” by Kyoko Yoshizumi, and “Families in France—A society exploring new family ties,” by Keiko Funabashi. Although there are differences in family policy framework between the three countries, they share one common feature: there is a growing awareness and acceptance of various types of families and lifestyles in society without being constrained by the “standard family” norm.

View full abstract

In this paper, I first describe changes, current status, and diversity concerning U.S. families. Diversity in American families stems from cultural and traditional differences across ethnicities, social classes, and regions. Second, using the U.S. Census and other data, some major familial changes, including a rise in the divorce rate, delayed marriage, a decline in households with legally married couples, and an increase in single parent households, will be detailed. Third, in response to these demographic changes, new definitions concerning families will be proposed. In addition, I will review sociological studies on fatherhood and gay and lesbian families in the U.S. Finally, a gender lens approach that is useful for family sociological research will be discussed.

View full abstract

This article explores family transformation in Sweden based on official statistics and extant research on the family life of opposite-sex and same-sex couples and child custody after divorce or separation. Since the late 1960s, the Swedish government has promoted a family policy based on gender equality, which has meant the double emancipation of both women and men and has emphasized fatherhood, encouraging fathers to take parental leave. In addition, family law has been amended in accordance with the principle of neutrality of gender and cohabitation, which leads to legalizing same-sex marriage and allowing same-sex couples to become parents, followed by a prioritization of the principle of “the best interests of the child” in family policy. It is unquestionable that the breadwinner/homemaker division of labor has virtually disappeared, and dual-income families have become common. However, the purpose of democratizing the family through family policy has only been partially realized in family life: there is still inequality in the division of domestic work and childcare, inequality in parenthood between a “father's rights” and a “mother's obligations,” and the prioritization of father-child relationships over the protection of children.

View full abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show how French family policies have responded to change in the families of France. First, I will describe various phenomena of contemporary partnership: increasing cohabitation, living apart together, Pacs in place of marriage, divorce, solo parenting and the step family. These are paralleled by respect for women's rights in the family and in the workplace, as well as for the reproductive rights of women. Second, I will offer an outline of innovation in French family policies that started in the 1980s in order to support working parents: education and care system for children, moderate working hours for parents, sufficient vacation time, and extremely generous family allowances. These experiences of French society teach us that social support for family ties can help to keep society sustainable in an era of family change.

View full abstract