In the United States, the idea of sharing a bed with one’s child is frequently met with skepticism and concern. However, in countries like South Korea, Japan, and India, it’s not a matter of whether to share a bed with children but when to transition them out. This pattern illustrates a fundamental difference in parenting philosophy and societal expectations.
In South Korea, where urban living often means smaller spaces, many families opt for bed sharing as a way to strengthen emotional bonds. Inae Kim, a Seoul office manager, highlights this sentiment, stating, “They want to enjoy the moment” with their children, who eventually grow away from them. This is reflective of a broader trend across Asia, where workable living space often translates to shared familial bodies, especially during formative years.
Statistical evidence shows astonishingly high bed-sharing rates in these regions—exceeding 60% in South Korea, Japan, and China, and soaring to over 70% in parts of India and Southeast Asia, compared to rates of just 5-15% in the US and other Western nations. There’s a suggestion that the stigma surrounding bed sharing in the West might lead to underreporting, as researchers note that many in the West might engage in bed sharing without acknowledging it.
The motivations for this practice can be both cultural and practical. In Tokyo and Seoul, parents may feel that bed training could disturb neighbors—reflecting a consideration for community harmony. Vicky Tsang from Hong Kong mentions that the infamous cramped living spaces prompt many families to share beds long into their children’s primary school years.
The deep cultural ties to bed sharing resonate even among urban elites in India, where calls for sleep-training advice by parents abroad often reveal a desire to maintain their traditional practices. This contrasts with places like Singapore, where wealth has led to a rise in sleep-training culture, although some parents still navigate social pressures when discussing their choices.
Social norms play a powerful role in shaping family dynamics and sleeping arrangements. In some East Asian cultures, opting out of bed sharing could be perceived as neglectful, leading to a consensus where families might prioritize tradition and attachment over personal comfort.
As Erin Lim from Seoul noted, growing up in a tightly-knit, multi-generational household has shaped perceptions on bed sharing. “It’s so common that no one thinks, ‘Is it uncommon?’” she remarks.
Even within families, dynamics can vary widely. Inae Kim's husband champions family bed sharing for its emotional rewards despite her acknowledging the depletion of sleep quality. Their plan to eventually transition their daughters into a separate room reflects a personal choice amidst broader cultural expectations.
As families in Asia embrace this sleeping arrangement, the question remains: how will these traditional practices evolve in the face of modernity and changing living conditions?
In South Korea, where urban living often means smaller spaces, many families opt for bed sharing as a way to strengthen emotional bonds. Inae Kim, a Seoul office manager, highlights this sentiment, stating, “They want to enjoy the moment” with their children, who eventually grow away from them. This is reflective of a broader trend across Asia, where workable living space often translates to shared familial bodies, especially during formative years.
Statistical evidence shows astonishingly high bed-sharing rates in these regions—exceeding 60% in South Korea, Japan, and China, and soaring to over 70% in parts of India and Southeast Asia, compared to rates of just 5-15% in the US and other Western nations. There’s a suggestion that the stigma surrounding bed sharing in the West might lead to underreporting, as researchers note that many in the West might engage in bed sharing without acknowledging it.
The motivations for this practice can be both cultural and practical. In Tokyo and Seoul, parents may feel that bed training could disturb neighbors—reflecting a consideration for community harmony. Vicky Tsang from Hong Kong mentions that the infamous cramped living spaces prompt many families to share beds long into their children’s primary school years.
The deep cultural ties to bed sharing resonate even among urban elites in India, where calls for sleep-training advice by parents abroad often reveal a desire to maintain their traditional practices. This contrasts with places like Singapore, where wealth has led to a rise in sleep-training culture, although some parents still navigate social pressures when discussing their choices.
Social norms play a powerful role in shaping family dynamics and sleeping arrangements. In some East Asian cultures, opting out of bed sharing could be perceived as neglectful, leading to a consensus where families might prioritize tradition and attachment over personal comfort.
As Erin Lim from Seoul noted, growing up in a tightly-knit, multi-generational household has shaped perceptions on bed sharing. “It’s so common that no one thinks, ‘Is it uncommon?’” she remarks.
Even within families, dynamics can vary widely. Inae Kim's husband champions family bed sharing for its emotional rewards despite her acknowledging the depletion of sleep quality. Their plan to eventually transition their daughters into a separate room reflects a personal choice amidst broader cultural expectations.
As families in Asia embrace this sleeping arrangement, the question remains: how will these traditional practices evolve in the face of modernity and changing living conditions?
