Ask John: Why Are Children in Anime Not Disciplined Strictly?

Question:
Why are young children in anime often allowed to get away with acting bratty? I find it somewhat irritating that they are rarely even scolded. If an older character does try to reprimand the child, the child is usually told to “be nicer.”

Answer:
I may be mistaken, but I believe that the way children are treated in anime is a reflection of Japanese culture and philosophy. Throughout Asia, children do get severely punished for misbehaving in private, but punishment in public arenas is rare. When an older person does scold a misbehaving child, the chastisement usually seems mild. I think this sort of reaction is symptomatic of Japanese and Asian civility. Japanese social relations and social culture are based on politeness, courtesy, and humility. Parents and family are responsible for the social education of their children, so punishment should be imposed in the privacy of the home. A child misbehaving in public may be deemed shameful because it reflects lacking parental supervision. Someone besides a parent strictly disciplining a child in public may be considered rude because doing so implies that a stranger must perform a duty which the child’s parent obviously is not doing. A mild tone and advice to “be nice” doesn’t seem like a major event. A calm voice and mild advice don’t cause a scene, thus saving face for everyone involved.