“Encounters with the Elderly in America” by Tsuji

The account of the difference in cultural treatment of the elderly as defined by a Japanese student studying in America highlights the key differences in the disparity in attention and care provided to the elderly.  Yokho Tsuji came to San Diego in 1976 after two other visits, and observed the treatment of the elderly as almost inhumane and disrespectful when compared to Japanese customs.  Perhaps this difference comes from the ideology of the "stem family" in which three generations of a family all live together, not nearly as common in the US as standard nuclear 2-generation families.  This family style of living is the reason Tsuji had spent much more time with her grandmother, as her mom worked.  This could have much effect on her perception of the elderly and how they are to be treated, which would obviously be more ingrained into a young Japanese person given the stem-family aspect. This article advocates for the mistreatment of senior citizens and demands a change in the infrastructure of industry and elder care that seems to negatively affect the most wise in our country after they can no longer defend themselves.