The Ukita Family and the Skeen Family

The Ukita Family and the Skeen Family The Ukita family has a medium degree of well-being because it owns all necessary household appliances, including the washing machine, two TV sets, the microwave oven, and the kitchen machine. The children and parents are well dressed and they have enough clothing in their wardrobe.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Ukita Family and the Skeen Family specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They also have a family car, which is another necessary attribute of wealth. As per the Skeen family, it has relatively similar level of well-being because they have enough household appliances, two cars, and good furniture. They also garage for their automobile. Both the Japanese family and the American family seem to be happy and well off, but in a difference sense. The Ukita family is more concerned with material well-being, which can be judged from the things that are placed in front of the house. Besides, the family itself is sitting around the table and watching TV. Therefore, it can be concluded that the parents are more interested on earning more money and become richer. Despite their focus on household values, the Ukita family still adheres to the Japanese traditions by eating traditional dishes and sitting at the table without shoes on. The family leaves the shoes outside the kitchen before entering the room. In contrast, the Skeen family attaches much more importance to spiritual and cultural values rather than to the material ones. Mrs. Skeen holding the Bible is another evidence of the family’s adherence to religion and traditions. The wall with family photos handing on it is another thing that supports the family’s adherence to family values. Therefore, the members of the Skeen family are less concerned with material well-being because all household appliances are placed in the background of the photo. Aside from economic well-being, the photos depict the differences in social well-being and its influence on the families. In particular, the Ukita family is depicted as sitting in front of the TV and watching news. So, it is possible to suggest that they are interested in what is going on in the world, but are less concerned with what is going on in the neighboring house. In contrast, the Skeen family rely less on mass media because they are more focused on face-to-face communication. They are more open-minded and less prejudiced. Environmental issues are also brightly illustrated in the photo. Hence, the Skeen family considers environmental problems a priority because all of the furniture items seem to be made up from the ecologically pure materials. Unlike the Skeens, the Ukita do not pay much attention to the environment because there is no sign of their interest in the surrounding world.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More While comparing these two famil ies, it should be stressed that the Japanese family is under greater influence of popular culture and consumerism trends because all of the items presented are traditional objects that an average family should have, including clothing, appliances, and car. Unlike the Japanese interior, the American family is more likely to stay beyond the media culture expansion because they are less attracted with the material values. The poses of the Skeen member are also more open and they look happier than Japanese family members. Allocation of objects, including car and furniture in the foreground serve as a sound argument for the adherence to consumerism. The Skeen family stands separately from the interior, which indicates their indifference to material objects. â€Å"MW-Japan†. n. d. JPEG File. 20. Nov. 2012. Print. â€Å"MW-US†. n. d. JPEG File. 20 Nov. 2012. Print.