I think you are overgeneralizing what I said. I'm basing what I know on my past experiences w/ children and parents that I've come across. I know that it can be difficult to raise a family, especially while living overseas, without the guidance and help from family back home or a spouse because he (or she) may be out to sea.

You claim that there are recent studies out about how Japanese children have a higher occurrence of ADHD than American children. I have never heard of that....could you site your source? All the literature I've read has said otherwise. In this article, a study states that Japanese and Finish children scored the lowest in a sample of children from all over the world:

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi.../6/856.pdf

I would be interested to read a study that says differently.

I mentioned above that "parenting will always be a difficult job, and even more so if you have a child that suffers from ADD," so I do sympathize w/ parents that were given "difficult cards to play with." I also said that not all parents allow their kids to just just sit around playing video games. But, I do believe A LOT of them are guilty of just that. You may in fact be a "model parent." I can't pass judgment on you, per se, but, I have formed an opinion over the years on what I've seen from my personal experiences in dealing w/ children and their parents.

I am using information from Dr. Barkley's book on ADHD, in which they use the only known prevalance rate of 7.7% for Japanese children compared to an average probably around 7% for American give or take a bit. As I understand it from multiple hours of research, Japan actually does not account for it's rate of ADHD so most studies use a this number from a study by Kanbayashi and nakata and believe it to be the best representation that they have for Japan. The article you refer to does not even give a number for Japan so not sure where they got their information also they suggest they are using 2 different diagnostic methods, and do not say which was used to obtain Japan and which was used to obtain US (although I'm pretty sure DSM-IV was used for US).
I don't believe I overgeneralized anything you said. You very bravely said that you were sorry for offending anyone but that you though it was an issue with parenting.
Just out of curiosity were you ever a teacher in a Japanese school, b/c I'd be willing to bet money that you made that statement simply on your personal observation of Japanese children out in town and not on any level of professional position.

I have taught in numerous Japanese schools (up near Yokota Air Base), and I was a student myself in a Japanese public (elementary) school years ago. I can remember having to sit with my hands behind my lower back as the teacher spoke. Never did I see a child get out of his or her seat and disrupt the class like they do in the states.......not to say that there weren't those that would interrupt the teacher and talk out of turn.

So I will take back that you said it out of personal observation, b/c obviously you do have experience. I do think though that again people assume that ADD/ADHD is simply behavioral problems, and that is not true, as I said it can also be forgetfullness/mindwandering/innability to focus/excessive talking/social awkwardness. Although these children can sit still in some situations and mind their manners, does not mean they don't have ADHD, so please keep that in mind
I'll agree to disagree with you Have a nice night

No worries Missryn......I'm always up for a meaningful debate.  As long as it brings awareness to the cause, I'm all for it!    I'm certainly no expert on the matter, nor have I ever claimed to be.  But, I do my best to educate myself whenever possible.  I learn something new every day!