I've been surprised at most of my students' comments on whaling. There seems to be a cultural pride at work, which causes a very high percentage of them to become a bit defensive and to show a bit of emotion. It's a very interesting phenomenon.
At first, I thought that whaling would be a fruitful discussion topic, but it soon became obvious that I was wrong. I wouldn't advise bringing up this topic with friends or students, unless you're prepared to ignore your feelings or lose your acquaintances.
8 comments:
Salutations from Aragón. ¿What is your opinion about the whales fishing of Japan and another countries?
Best regards.
http://daroca-lorien.blogspot.com
Hi Luis, thanks for your comment. Personally, I don't agree with whaling. (I don't like hunting either.) I think that the whales suffer unnecessary pain, whereas other animals that we eat are killed as humanely as possible. If we could farm whales (like we do cattle) and if we could slaughter them humanely, then maybe (maybe!) someone could convince me otherwise. But I don't think the demand for whale meat is sufficient to merit whale farming (if that were even possible.)
By the way, you were so quick to comment on my blog. How did you find it?
I went against your advice and used "whaling" as a topic in my class on opinions (partly because I was running out of ideas, had just read your blog, and whaling popped into my mind). Anyway, the particular student I discussed it with wasn't high enough level to get emotional or combative, but in his response ("it's japanese culture...we should be allowed to choose"), I was bothered by a stubborn sense of Japanese pride that seems to come up during discussions of war, whaling, and other controversial topics like this. It's this kind of reaction that makes me think how important it is that the Japanese education system move towards teaching a little more critical thought that allows for analysis of self (and country) through essay-writing and discussion.
Speaking of the Japanese education system, how would you feel enrolling your hypothetical children in schools here?
Why would you go against my advice silly? I wrote this post expressly as a warning, from personal experience. Further, don't say the word "chin" in your kids classes.
What kind of issue might the average Canadian get defensive about? "Hunting deer is bad." "Doughnuts are unhealthy." I think every country has these touchy issues.
I haven't thought about where I might enroll my hypothetical kids. Possibly in a theoretical school. How about you?
Ha ha, I see what you're doing--trying to plant the word "chin" in my mind so that the next time I find myself in a kiddies' class and out of ideas, I'll just start yelling "Chin! Chin!" while hysterically pointing at my face...
Anyhoo, about Canadians and deer-hunting or donut-eating, I have to say that most young, educated Canadians I know would have no problem discussing these types of issues. Also, most educated Canadians have no problem with, and are more often than not apt to point out, problems within our own country, be it our treatment of Native Indians, etc. So I would still have to argue that something is wrong in the Japanese education system -- memorizing instead of expressing, agreeing with authority instead of questioning it -- these qualities at a school don't create adults who are easily (or calmly, as reflected in your post about whaling) able to discuss controversial subjects. Hence, I still think it's a problem that should be dealt with asap!!
I think there is a vast majority of indoctrinated Canadians who, even though they are educated, have not given serious thought to many, many issues.
On any issue, there are people on both sides. There are supporters of the war in Iraq and there are dissenters. In Japan, there are supporters of whaling and dissenters. And in both countries, there are many people who don't really have an opinion on the issues and simply spout what they've heard on the news or in conversation with friends.
I'm learning that a lot of Japanese traits that we think are internal are in fact not traits at all, but just customs. Japanese politeness is a wonderful thing, but as you have mentioned a few times, it may not always be sincere. Not to say that it's insincere; it's just habit. Perhaps agreeing with authority (in a classroom or at the office) is the same, and internally there does exist questioning of and opposition to the rules.
You must remember, in your major (English), you were writing all of the time. In my major (Math), I was memorizing. There is a huge difference between our educations, as there probably is between the educations of many Japanese people.
I haven't seen the curriculum for high school or university classes, so I can't comment on whether there is a lack of expression and critical thought or not. Have you?
I haven't seen the curriculum, but I've been told by almost all of my adult students and Japanese friends that they were never given a chance to express themselves in school, that they just copied on to paper whatever the teacher told them to--which is why, my Japanese assistants have argued, when we put a blank paper in front of our elementary students and ask them to draw what images make them think of the four seasons, for example, many of them sit blankly and do nothing for a long time until they finally just copy the teacher's examples on the board or the drawings of that one brave, creative kid sitting next to them. It's quite sad to see kids with so little imagination. I think this can be paralleled to when you ask an older group a (simple!) opinion type question (ie: What do you want for Christmas?) and, again, the majority of them copy my example on the board. As my Japanese assistants have explained to me, it's all linked to an education system that doesn't seem to think much of self-expression.
You and I may have had a different university education, but our elementary and secondary educations were the same, and that's the age where it counts most. That's why we, and many other Westerners, can enjoy arguing/discussing an issue, and perhaps do so with less emotion than someone who was never taught to express him/herself in the first place.
perhaps you're right. i don't know. i have a lot of original students in my classes. i think the combination of learning a new language and the mild stress caused by this learning can cause students' brains to work differently. and of course, since the senpai system is very strong in japanese culture, what you're seeing kinda makes sense. but (and here's the $64,000 question) who are we to say that japanese culture should change? would japanese be happier being more argumentative and opinionated? personally, i remember many a dinner-table discussion with the family when my temper flared and the "conversation "got a bit out of control. anyhow, interesting discussion.
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