Asian Culture

The Asian culture is said to be one of the fastest growing population in the United States today.  Within the Asian culture there are different classifications that entail different population groups.  The Japanese group is the third largest in the US today.  

In the Japanese community, children are taught to respect the elderly regardless of their status with them. They are addressed by a surname, and age/social status is considered higher rank regardless of age.  Lady’s are not to cross their legs or point at anything with the foot in fear or showing signs of contempt or disrespect towards the person. When it comes to healthcare providers explaining illness or health status, Asians have a cultural respect for harmony. This can really hamper the patients well being and future plan of care by not asking for more explications when they may not complete understand what is going on in fear of disrupting harmony.

When caring for the Japanese culture, be aware to never touch or reach over the patient’s head, as this part of the body is very sacred to them. Always ask permission to do so if the need arises.   When health/illness arise, the Asians culture views blood as the vital element to life. When blood draws are needed, they fear this upset the natural balance of the body. They tend to practice more alternative medicine approaches like the “hot” & “cold” theory of disease over prescribed medications. Its said that they will cut the prescribed dosage to half size because they believe dosages are part of the “hot” theory. If oral mediation is giving, it is usually made into a tea instead of taking an oral dose.  

        Pregnant Japanese women are encouraged to stay active during the first trimester to ensure for a safe and easy labor/birth.  This includes keeping the house and yard clean along with daily toilet cleansing in hopes of a healthy and good-looking baby. They tend not to attend funerals in fear of the sprits of the dead, and must wear only black if she does attend.

Rituals for a safe birth are done in the 5th month of pregnancy in which the family seeks a shrine called an “annzan”.  A ceremony is in place to pray at which the pregnant women is presented a white sash with a picture of a dog by the presenting persist.  Having a dog printed on this sash is a way of showing uncomplicated and safe birth. Its also believed that if the mothers complexion is smooth it will most likely be a boy.