Racism

My wife was born in Del Norte Colorado to a single mother.  Her mother and grandmother was Hispanic and her grandfather was Cherokee.  On the side of town side she lived on (literally the wrong side of the tracks) there are no paved roads and and no schools.  She grew up and went to Catholic schools.  She was raised by her grandmother until she went to live with her mother and stepfather in Ogden, Utah.  When she came to Ogden, she spoke no English and had to learn it from her school mates.  Most of the white children she went to school with did not have anything to do with her.  What she did was to stay with "her own kind." Discrimination was just something that was around her and since she mostly played with other Hispanic children and only went to Mexican stores, she missed a lot of ugliness.  Common things that happened to her was name calling, being ignored at "white" stores, and being talked to rudely.

JAPAN

According to the Japanese constitution, all citizens are equally important regardless of ethnic identity. At least one native people-group (the Ainu) has been formally recognized by the Japanese government. However, foreign nationals are sometimes restricted from certain services and activities.  A friend of mine lived there for 5 years.  He discovered some interesting facts that he relayed to me.  As long as you are a visitor, the Japanese are very polite and courteous.  I have experienced this first hand.  It doesn't matter what race you are or your cultural background.  But if you are living there there is a different category you fall into.  According to my friend, the Japanese have to aspects of society: the ones who have the power and the ones who do not.  If you do not have the power your basic attitude is to conform and and not to bring shame upon your family or yourself.  If you have the power you can basically treat everyone below you however you want.  

Nationality	Number	Percentage
China	653,004	32.0%
South Korea and  North Korea	530,421	26.0%
Philippines	203,027	10.0%
Brazil	193,571	9.5%
Vietnam	52,385	2.6%
Peru	49,483	2.4%
United States	48,371	2.4%
Thailand	40,146	2.0%
Indonesia	25,543	1.3%
Nepal	24,073	1.2%
Taiwan	22,779	1.1%
Others	195,356	9.6%
Total (as of 2012)	2,038,159	100%

Resources

Japan Statistics Bureau (Japanese)(2007)  [1] 平成２４年末現在における外国人登録者統          ついて].  Abramson, Paul(1999), Conversation after my first trip to Japan. Hogg, Chris (2005), Japan racism 'Deep and Profound"BBC News. Retrieved from      http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4671687.stm

Public health measures that impact children's development - Immunization

This topic is meaningful to me because it is one of the requirements of our center that we must have immunization records before a child can be admitted to our program.  Every year we have to certify with the state that we have these records.  I could not copy and paste the information regarding the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) recommended immunization schedule so I have provided a link to their table.
 USA Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 18 years – 2013

I have inserted some information regarding Japan's immunization's schedule and after reading it seems Japan is very similar to the USA. Some sources indicate that Japanese immunization program is lagging behind compared to other countries. Vaccines are categorized as either under the law or voluntary in Japan.  The rates for voluntary vaccines have been low due to the high economic burden in Japan.  There are some new movements to fill the “vaccine gap” in Japan. A reform of Japanese immunization law is urgently needed to improve the immunization program.

-----------------------Japanese Vaccination Guidelines---------------------------

"Please note that there is no duty to receive vaccinations in Japan.
It is a matter of parental choice, but they are strongly recommended."
http://www.hyogo-ip.or.jp/hiaf/eg/hlgmne/31.htm 

Appropriate Ages for Vaccinations
http://www.hyogo-ip.or.jp/hiaf/eg/hlgmne/31.htm

Polio
(live attenuated vaccine) From age 3-90 months twice (at more than 6
week intervals)
------------------------------------
Diptheria
(D)
Pertussis
(P)
Tetanus Toxoid
(T)
(DPT vaccine) Stage 1(DPT triple combined)
First injectionfrom age 3-90 months, three times (at 3-8 week intervals)
Booster injection from age 3-90 months (after first injection wait
more than 6 months), once
Stage 2 (DT double combined)
Once between age 11 and 12 From age 3-12 months

After first injection completed 
From age 12-18 months

Sixth year of elementary school (Age 12)
------------------------------------------------------------------

Measles
(live attenuated vaccine) From age 12-90 months once 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Rubella
(live attenuated vaccine) From age 12-90 months once  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese Encephalitis
(Japanese encephalitis vaccine) Stage 1
First injection from age age 6-90 months, twice (at 1-4 week intervals)
Booster injection from age age 6-90 months(after the first injection,
generally one year later), once

Stage 2 From age 9-13, once

Stage 3From age 14-15, once Age 3

Age 4

4th year of elementary school(Age 9)

2nd year of junior high school (Age 14) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuberculosis (BCG) 

1. Before age 4 
2. First year of elementary school 
3. Second year of elementary school
(only for those vaccinated in first year of elementary school) 
4. First year of junior high school 
5. Second year of junior high school
(only for those vaccinated in first year of junior high school)

*Those who react negatively to tuberculin in 1-5 are vaccinated.
(those whose red patch is less than 9mm diameter are judged as
reacting negatively)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.hyogo-ip.or.jp/hiaf/eg/hlgmne/31.htm
(The following schedule is more clearly outlined in a table at the link above)

Here is another list of immunizations and a time table
http://home.e08.itscom.net/kosodate/3.Health%20Care%20Service.htm


----------------------Notes on the Japanese Vaccination Process-------------

Immunizations 

"Preventive inoculations (immunizations) for diphtheria, whooping
cough, measles and Japanese encephalitis are given at the Public
Hygiene Section of municipal offices. The fee and kinds of
immunizations available depend on the municipal office. Foreign
residents need to present their Certificate of Alien Registration. "
http://www.hyogo-ip.or.jp/hiaf/eg/hlgmne/32.htm

Vaccinations In Japan
http://www.mief.or.jp/en/life/handbook/pdf/11.pdf

"There are 2 ways of taking vaccinations in Japan - Regular
vaccinations that the government encourages and Optional ones that the
parents' decide to give in addition to the regular ones. "
http://home.e08.itscom.net/kosodate/3.Health%20Care%20Service.htm

"4 months old children are vaccinated against BCG and Polio at 4
months-old check-up in the Public Health Center."
http://home.e08.itscom.net/kosodate/3.Health%20Care%20Service.htm 

Immunization's for young children is something we in the child care world deal with every time we

admit a new child into our programs.  We are monitored by the state and I don't see this changing.

So I feel we need to learn as much as possible about it so we can can at least talk intelligently

to our parents.

PERSONAL BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

My first real birthing experience was the birth of my daughter in 1986.  My wife at the time was 2 weeks over due and so we decided to have a caesarian done.  We had prepared for a natural birth with the aid of a midwife so this was a traumatic decision for us. I remember that we both cried since this was not something we had planned for.  I remember standing at her head and trying to comfort my wife while the surgery was being performed.  I didn't really see the surgery but I remember Michelle being held up so we could both see and then I went with the nurse to help clean my daughter up.  I had seen newborns before and I was expecting a baby that was kinda ugly with it's head out of shape.  I was not prepared for this beautiful child that I helped bring into the world.  I also commented on this to my wife.  She is still beautiful and now has her own child.  I am truly blessed.

BIRTHING IN JAPAN

I chose Japan as a country to contrast with the United States because I have been there a few times and so I am somewhat familiar with the culture.  What I found out was that Japan is very similar yet very different.  Children are usually born there in a hospital or doctor's clinic with usually the help of a midwife rather than a doctor.  Japan tends to use a more natural childbirth without the use of drugs or pain relievers.  Japan also adds a cultural affinity for stoic forbearance or gaman to the birthing experience.  Birth is often seen as an invigorating experience  rather than a painful and terrifying experience.  Mothers are taught to trust in their bodies.