What Are Japanese Family Relationships Like?

Question:

I heard that Japanese families don't hug, but just bow to each other like they do with everyone else. Is this true? Do children still have to be formal with their parents, older siblings and the like? And if so how close do their ages have to be before they can act informal? Do the parents generally avoid displays of affection in front of anyone else, including their children? Do children still act formal if they are having an argument? Or do they tend to avoid arguments completely?

Answer:

A lot of questions!

>I heard that Japanese families don't hug

They do not hug so often. But they sometimes do.

>but just bow to each other like they do with everyone else. Is this true?

No. Bow is used in a formal relationship as you know. And family is not formal relationship.

>Do children still have to be formal with their parents, older siblings and the like?

No.

>Do the parents generally avoid displays of affection in front of anyone else, including their children?

Well, it depends on each case. But when the child is small, they do not avoid it.