In many parts of Asia, bed sharing is the norm rather than the exception for families with young children. Unlike the United States, where parents often opt for separate sleeping arrangements due to safety concerns and sleep training trends, many Asian parents view the practice as a vital part of parenting that helps foster strong bonds with their children.
In South Korea, parents like Inae Kim embrace bed sharing as a way to enjoy precious moments with their kids, knowing that they won’t always need them. Meanwhile, the trend is similar across China, Japan, and India, with a significant percentage of families engaging in bed sharing. A survey indicated that in these countries, rates exceeded 60%, while the Western countries recorded much lower figures.
The motivations behind bed sharing are diverse; in urban areas where space is limited, practicality often dictates the sleeping arrangement. In Singapore, however, where societal pressures lean towards sleep training, many parents experience mixed feelings about sharing beds with their children. The cultural attachment to this practice runs deep, with some Indian parents abroad seeking advice on how to maintain bed sharing in a foreign culture that might not understand their choices.
Despite some negative perceptions associated with bed sharing in the West, experts suggest that this approach is more common than many realize, highlighting regional differences in parenting practices and child-rearing philosophies across cultures.
