I think that one of the reasons that Kiyoshi’s parents had so many children was because having a big family was in there culture. It was ok to have a big family and to have at least one son so that the first son will work, help support the family and help to put the little siblings through school. I think that if Kiyoshi’s parents had all girls they would keep trying until they get that one boy.
Another reason why I think that Kiyoshi’s parents had so many children was because they did not know about birth control or condoms. Kiyoshi said, “Now she knew nothing of rubbers, when I knew of them when I was in the third grade. We’d find the used ones, all stinking and rotten at the beach or at the school yard, but the only place that sold them was the drugstore in Pepelau.” I would like to say that Kiyoshi’s parents would have used condoms if they knew what they were.
I think that Kiyoshi’s mother was a little ashamed when she got pregnant with Jyun. She was afraid to tell her sons that she was pregnant. She even asked Kiyo if he was ashamed to have an old mother giving birth. When Kiyoshi’s mother was in the hospital, she stated, “Someday when you get married, you should learn how the haoles do it, how they have so few children. You should not have more than three children. It’s too hard.” That statement tells me that she did not really want to have another baby let alone plan to have another child. It just happened and there was no alternative back then like there is now.
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteThe quotes you've included are great! They present Mrs. Oyama's perspective on having so many children. It's clear that, if she knew what to do, she would not have wanted more than three children. She doesn't have control of her body.
I'm always surprised when we learn she's only 37 in part 2. She seems much older.
Thanks for your insights.
Take care,
Lauren
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you that Kiyoshi’s parents had so many children for so many reasons. But what I didn't think about was the they might have kept on trying if they has not had any boy's. It made me think of what I have heard about in China, that if they have a girl they are very disappointed because the boy's are what is wanted and prized. I didn't think it was the same for Japan. You also brought to light that Kiyoshi's mom did not have access to birth control I never even thought about that. Another thing that you talked about and I will have to go back and read for myself is the part were she talks about not having a lot of children, not sure how I missed that part. I guess I was tired that night. Thank you so much for sharing you gave me a lot to think about. and go over again
Stacy
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteYOu are right! I think Kyoshi's parents had a lot of children for so many reasons. You bring up the fact that Kyoshi's mom didn't have birth control and that is a very interesting but correct response. It's something fairly new and wasn't an option back then. I also believe that they had so many children because they just wanted that boy! Thanks for giving us more to think about.
Dina
Hi Natalie -
ReplyDeleteI agree Kiyoshi's mother did not have control over her own body. She was unaware of methods to control the amount of children she brought in to the world. Birth control liberated women by allowing them to have control over their own bodies. I agree if his parents had a bunch of daughters they would have kept trying until they had a son to adhere to the customs of their culture.
Thank you,
Sarah Baker
Is it amazing that each child had a certain role to play in the family. One would work, one would go to school, and so on. I have always been amazed on different cultures and the diversity that they have from mine. However if you look in the past I think the American culture did the same. When people didn’t have the money and were more focused on the family structure we had bigger families and each of them played a certain role in the dynamics of the family.
ReplyDeleteMichelle