Originally Posted by PhDP (Post 680281)

Your first point is, in my opinion, true, but not all scientists would agree.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 680312)

Yes, her son was born underweight.

The comparison of race with dogs is not misplaced in any way. Dog breeders want pure-bred dogs, but some of those breeds are essentially inbred and the DNA purity also essentially guarantees certain diseases or other negative traits will be continued generation to generation.

I think it is fair to make this comparison to humans, as we are no more or less complicated DNA-wise with canines, and although I have never heard of any negatives with racial "purity" in humans, but I suspect humans around the world are nearly as "racially pure" as they like to think.

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu (Post 680306)

Well thanks, but I was far more tactful than Tenchu- who calls mixed-race children "mongrols". :rolleyes:

It was just a comparison... If you think I was referring to children as dogs you missed the whole point.

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu (Post 680318)

I suppose the saying "Fit as a mule" makes a lot of sense!

Uh oh, now I'm comparing kids to mules. :rolleyes:


I'd like to see a study that compares patterns in health between "racially pure" individuals with "mixed-race" individuals.

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu (Post 680318)

I'd like to see a study that compares patterns in health between "racially pure" individuals with "mixed-race" individuals.

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu (Post 680306)

I'm not sure I understand this- was your son born underweight?

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 680422)

Yes. Very underweight and premature. He was 14oz - born a little over halfway through the pregnancy. For proof, a fun photo from about 3 weeks after he was born;




I don`t know about a study on adults, but there is one for infants. Or at least premature infants. We were asked to take part in it as an example of a rare "mixed breed". In the case of early development, it seems that different races have different developmental schedules. The darker the skin, the more is dedicated to developing the lungs in the early stages - but less to the intestines. The lighter the skin, the more is dedicated to bodily regulation and the heart. So the darker a baby is the more likely they are to survive an early birth because the lungs are functional at an earlier stage - but at the same time they`re more likely to suffer from fatal infections. I believe that the senses receive more developmental resources in the early stages, so an Asian infant born early is less likely to lose their sight or hearing... There are also huge gender differences - females focus on brain development earlier than males (who focus on sexual development first in the order of things). This ends up meaning that the male brain is more susceptible to damage due to an early birth or other factors, and is supposedly the reason why cases of disability are higher in males. It is also what causes most premature males to die after they`ve been stabilized. Bleeding in the brain is almost a guarantee if it`s a boy, and that most often leads to death.

I can`t remember all the details, but it appeared that mixed race children were receiving the best of both worlds when it came to early development. Instead of 80 / 20 it was evening out at 70 / 70 - so everything seemed to be pretty even in developmental level, and all higher than the counterparts.

This was incredibly important to us, as otherwise we were given a 0.5% chance of my son actually surviving. He had pretty much everything against him otherwise.

Originally Posted by SceptileMaster (Post 680455)

I hope this isn't a bad question to ask and please warn me if I'm going anywhere uncomfortable so I know I'm in the wrong but because your son was born so early does he look younger than all the other children his age? I was also born early, but not too early. Only 18 days.

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 680487)

Look younger? No. A lot smaller - yes. He is very thin to begin with, so he actually tends to look older in build and features than his peers... Until you compare size.

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 680487)

Look younger? No. A lot smaller - yes. He is very thin to begin with, so he actually tends to look older in build and features than his peers... Until you compare size.

Originally Posted by FLYBOMBER (Post 680799)

I'm sorry but how can you have mixed races in JAPAN?

Originally Posted by Sinestra (Post 680765)

Nyororin i would really like to hear you're opinion since the people writing in the article are similar to you.

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 680841)

I`d like to think that I don`t belong in the same group as the majority of those people - as lifestyles and attitudes usually do not overlap. It seems a big chunk of the fly-into-a-frenzy if they`re called gaijin, or if someone says half in front of them is of the "nothing in Japan is good enough" crowd, homeschooling their kids lest they be tainted, etc.

Throwing a fit over the "half" term seems like such a waste of time and effort, seeking out something to cry discrimination and racism over... While forgetting that you say pretty much the same thing in English.
I have absolutely no issues with the term and think that trying to force "double" or the like on others is pretty close to folly. "Half" has made itself a short and convenient Japanese word to refer to mixed race children. Double is NOT a Japanese word, so trying to stick it in there to replace simply doesn`t work. It comes off meaning twice as much, twice as good - which isn`t right.

But, of course, everyone loves to whine about being discriminated against in every capacity in Japan.

Originally Posted by Sinestra (Post 680858)

Does that pretty much go hand and hand with what you commented earlier with people saying "cute" when refering to mixed child?

Its weird to see so many differnt perspectives on the matter. I never thought of myself or my sister as any different it felt natural to just say im mixed. But you are right you could go to any country and here people find something to link to discrimnation.

Thank you for imput I think it obvious why i asked for your input on the artice. oh i didnt mean group you with all the people in article it was more of the fact that you are raising a mixed child as these people are.

Originally Posted by Tenchu (Post 681559)

And where did I call you "runt"?

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 679670)

Cuteness is subjective, and not something I can really comment on.

His name is Motoki.

And yes, we live in Japan.

I hate to sound cold, but your post sounds like you want something cute - not a child. Have a baby because you want to have and raise a child, not because you think it would be so cute... Babies are babies and children are children - whether you think they`re cute or not. Be very careful, as I think you`ll find even more cold responses from other parents of mixed race children in Japan as it is REALLY irritating to have no one look at your child as a person - instead seeing them as a display of cuteness and that alone.

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 679896)

Because she is basing the "cuteness" factor on race. Everyone wants cute children, but not everyone goes around talking about how very cute kids must be because they`re of a specific racial background.

Chances are, if you don`t live in Japan, you won`t get the sheer exasperation behind this. In Japan, "half" equals "cute". Which is fine to an extent, I guess, until it starts getting in the way of normal life. ie. People forgive ANYTHING your child does instead of properly responding and scolding because "Aww, they`re so cute! I wish I had a half child!" (Of course, all the while scolding the other kids.) Or... Instead of praising something your kids does, they just respond with "That`s so CUTE!!" and never actually look at anything else...
Or when you go out somewhere, having people stop in their tracks and point while giggling "Look! It`s so cute!!!" and taking pictures without asking you, etc.

Imagine that on a daily basis. My son is no cuter than other children. It`s a RACIAL thing - based only on the fact that he is half something other than Japanese, which is why it bothers me.

Originally Posted by UsagiSarah (Post 679204)

I was wondering if anybody on here are a mixed race couple with children or babies on the way, or are children of mixed races in Japan.

I am a Caucasian woman marrying a Japanese man. We are very excited to start our family soon after marrying. I would like to get to know others who have married other races maybe share some photos of children!

I always enjoy seeing mixed race families where i work it makes me excited about my future family!

Originally Posted by RobinMask (Post 696951)

I was curious - though it may be a little off-topic - but do mixed-raced children face any challenges growing up or as adults in Japan? I wondered if there was any discrimination at all or if they were accepted as normally as one would expect.

Originally Posted by JoshAussie (Post 679362)

I believe the correct term is Blasian. lol.

"(Hope that's not offensive)"

Originally Posted by RobinMask (Post 696951)

Aww, I just had to comment, your child is absolutely adorable Ozkai :) You must be really proud. He's one of the cutest kids I've seen.

I was curious - though it may be a little off-topic - but do mixed-raced children face any challenges growing up or as adults in Japan? I wondered if there was any discrimination at all or if they were accepted as normally as one would expect.

Originally Posted by keichichan (Post 703319)

Here in the United States it's very difficult for mixed children. Especially if a white marries an african american. But I've said before that people here in the U.S lack compassion and manners.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 703338)

In fact some are jealous of kids in bilingual households because they can speak two languages without even trying.

Originally Posted by ozkai (Post 721009)

He is already saying ne after every single English word:vsign:

Originally Posted by iPhantom (Post 721015)

He is mixing them together, not talking separately. a cousin of mine started doing the same and he had trouble learning which was this or that language. Where do you live, Japan? If yes, it is best to talk to him only English, even outside with Japanese people or his friends.

He can learn Japanese via friends.

this is the best way, trust me.

Originally Posted by xYinniex (Post 723639)

Who said mixed race children aren't gona be accepted?
Usually they're even more accepted into jobs than an full asian. In London, I guess, but London is a metropolitan capital.

Plus, I know loads of mixed race children and they become pretty much whitewashed, [no offence, I'm pretty damn white washed myself] and blend into society.

Maybe in a country with a majority asian population with China and Japan, but even then, Mixed race kids are always looked with admiration, because most of them are quite good looking. In Japan, you got celebrities that at mixed race, like Erika Sawajiri, Shirota Yuu.

Originally Posted by keichichan (Post 703319)

Here in the United States it's very difficult for mixed children. Especially if a white marries an african american. But I've said before that people here in the U.S lack compassion and manners.