The influence of Sekentei on family caregiving and underutilization of social services among Japanese caregivers.

The Asian family is regarded as a close-knit social unit in which elderly people are believed to occupy a highly respected position. Family members are thought to provide care for elderly parents gratefully because of filial piety. This stereotypic portrayal of Asian families, however, may not apply fully to Japanese families. This article points out misunderstandings and stereotypic views of family caregiving of Japanese elderly people. The article describes how the cultural virtue of filial piety has been incorrectly identified as the major factor influencing underutilization of social services among Japanese family caregivers. The authors provide new insights into Japanese family caregiving by describing the concept of sekentei and how this concept may influence family caregiving of elderly family members and underutilization of social services among Japanese caregivers.