Anthony Liang

Dr. Reagan
World Society in Lit/Film
8 November 2014
Nature versus Nurture: Significance of Family
The modern world tends to emphasize a lot on the growing reliance on making money,
and being proficient within society. Especially seen throughout Japan, the importance of social
class has not only defined families as a whole, but will also impact future generations to come.
For one, the younger generations usually adapt to the desires of their guardians. Nowadays, with
the economic competition and the live life on the gas pedal mentality, even the media
mainstream has been affected by this mindset. In contrast to the many older historical films that
Japan has released, Like Father, Like Son and Tokyo Sonata are two film that outlines some of
the more recent contemporary problems surrounding family and social class. Like Father, Like
Son is unique in the way that it explores many of todays major conflicts like: social class
awareness, parental strictness, and most predominantly in the film, bloodline relations. Similarly,
Tokyo Sonata also raises the subject of family, but instead incorporates a greater focus on how
each interaction may impact the wellness of the group. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-Eda and
Kiyoshi Kurosawa respectively,