I grew up in East Asia and have also never heard of any kids with imaginary friends. This was something I learned of only after moving to America. What I'm curious is now that I live in America and have a kid, will my kid be likely to have imaginary friend? For example, would school materials or cartoons available here likely lead to someone having imaginary friends, even if in our household we (as Asian parents in America) don't teach (or mention) anything about imaginary friends? (according to the article, 65% of 7 year-old American kids do)