in US, I think more companies are becoming similar to Japanese companies. there are more and more restrictions in US companies now compare to back in 1990, 1980's. when I was working in Japan, I was never told method of commuting. however, some companies paid actual commuting cost such as cost of train and such. yes, how children raised is important. I was raised by grand parents until I was age of 5 or so. my younger brother was raised by own parents. we turned out to be very different. I myself did not get into any trouble as school student, however my brother got into all type of trouble even at elementary school age, he broke into cars stole thing, beat up other child quite servery, shop lifting and associate with other bad kids.