Periods Of Childcare Research Articles

Survey results on the status of implementation of population approach projects for fathers across Japan by their municipalities

Objectives This study aimed to examine the status of implementation and details of population-based approach projects that primarily target fathers nationwide. It also seeked to discuss the possibility of providing childcare support to fathers in the community.Methods This study analyzed the overall results of two surveys undertaken. The primary survey was conducted between December, 2020 and February, 2021 by administering a mail questionnaire within 1,741 municipalities across Japan. A secondary interview survey was then conducted from August to September, 2021, among the municipalities that responded that they are "implementing projects mainly for fathers," and those that obtained consent to participate in this survey.Results The 837 municipalities (response rate = 48.1%) that responded to the primary survey were included in the analysis. Many municipalities provided paternal and family support in addition to childcare support for mothers, at the time of issuing maternal and child health handbooks and in parent classes. This support was inclusive of distributing leaflets and pamphlets for fathers (P=0.036), encouraging fathers to participate in parent classes (P<0.001), setting dates and times that are easy for fathers to participate in (P<0.001), and including content for fathers (P<0.001). There were significantly more responses from local governments of the municipalities with a total population of 70,000 or more. The number of municipalities that "implemented childcare support that primarily targeted fathers instead of mothers" was 54 or 6.5% of the total. However, about 70% of the municipalities that had not implemented such programs recognized the need for their implementation. In the 21 municipalities where the interviews were conducted, there were 10 projects implemented during pregnancy, 12 during the childcare period after delivery, and 1 implemented across both. The contents of the implemented programs varied widely, with each municipality devising its own programs based on regional characteristics, which had generally favorable evaluations from the participants. In contrast, many municipalities mentioned that the small number of participants was an issue.Conclusion Although fathers are encouraged to participate in childcare and housework within households, it is rare for them to be given opportunities to gain the required knowledge and skills. Most projects provide support for fathers as supporters of mothers. Going forward, in addition to surveys targeting fathers, there is a need to present project models that can be implemented by the local governments.

Působení rodinného zázemí, vzdělání a životních změn na pracovní hodnoty mužů a žen v České republice

This paper deals with work values as an important factor in individual career decisions. It relies on data from the PIAAC survey and the follow-up SKILLS II survey. Using a sample of Czech men and women 20–45 years old, we examine the factors that affect the formation of orientations to work as compared with family, and the values of high salary and career progress as compared with intrinsic enjoyment of work. Our results show the significant positive influence of family background for men and of higher education, especially for women, on an orientation to a job and to enjoyment of its contents. The orientation of men toward achieving high earnings is strengthened by the need to ensure income for their families, especially raising children, while for women, work centrality and perceived career importance increases after long periods of unemployment. The results show the contribution of high educational achievement to closing the gaps between the work-family orientations of men and women, but also a return to traditional gender roles during periods of childcare. In the conclusion we indicate directions for further research to focus on the different consequences of experiences with unemployment for men and women and on the role of cognitive skills in work values that are not always analogically related to formal education.

Parental psychological distress in the postnatal period in Japan: a population-based analysis of a national cross-sectional survey

Mental health assessments of both members of a couple are important when considering the child-rearing environment. The prevalence and factors associated with both parents’ psychological distress have not been fully investigated. A nationally representative sample from the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan was used to examine the prevalence of moderate and severe psychological distress in parents in the first year after childbirth. In total, 3,514 two-parent households raising children under one year old met the study criteria. The Japanese version of Kessler 6 was used to assess moderate and severe psychological distress. The prevalence of either or both parents experiencing psychological distress in the first year after birth were 15.1% and 3.4%, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed factors of fathers who worked ≥ 55 h a week, reduced duration of sleep in mothers, age in months of the youngest child, and high household expenditures were significantly associated with both parents simultaneously having moderate or severe psychological distress. This study implied the importance of prevention and early detection of parental psychological distress in both parents. Assessing parents’ psychological distress and work-style reform in the childcare period is an urgent issue to improve their mental health conditions.

Nonregular Employment in a Society with a Decreasing Birthrate: Workers' Marriage, Childbirth, and Childcare

In this paper, we examine the trend in Japan towards nonregular employment and its effects on marriage, childbirth, and childcare from the viewpoint of a decreasing societal birthrate. Although the decision to marry includes personal values and preferences, socioeconomic status factors such as income and employment type are also associated with the determinants of marriage. Nonregular employment workers have a lower rate and motivation for marriage than regular workers. Thus, socioeconomic disparity caused by employment needs to be minimized through governmental measures and policies. Nonregular employment is increasing among younger generations, and for them, maternity and childcare leave are especially vital. Employee insurance coverage should be expanded to function as a form of income security during these leaves of absence, such that nonregular workers are also covered. During the childcare period, which lasts more than 10 years, it is necessary to cover childrearing costs and also the time required to spend with children. If a single working parent is involved in childcare alone, there is the burden of both work and childcare. Additionally, long work hours can also impact workers that are not involved in childcare. This is a dilemma: a stable and regular employment is often necessary to achieve a higher education; however, it is difficult for nonregular employees to take care of and prepare children for higher education owing to limited financial means. Properly designed measures and policies are necessary to break this chain. Importantly, considerations about life and work are important for all workers, including nonregular workers, who are especially affected in terms of marriage, childbirth, and childcare.

Finnish Mothers’ Assessments of the Harmfulness of Childcare at Home on Occupational Careers: A Comparison of Twelve European Countries

It is generally believed that long periods of childcare at home deteriorate mothers’ occupational careers. This study examined mothers’ experiences regarding negative career consequences of full-time care of children at home, and of part-time work due to childcare. The focus was on Finland, a country that provides all mothers a financially compensated, longer-term childcare leave linked with unrestricted access to day care services. Experiences of Finnish mothers were compared with experiences of mothers in 11 other European countries. The data were based on European Social Survey (ESS) round 2, conducted in 2004 and 2005. In all of the studied countries, the majority of mothers assessed that taking care of children at home had not harmed their occupational careers. There was, however, a clear cross-country variation. Perceived career consequences for both types of care at home were least common in Finland. In most of the investigated countries, longer times spent with children at home increased the probability to perceive negative career consequences. In Finland, the difference was relatively small. Thus, as long as the focus is on mothers’ perceptions, the longer-term childcare leave does not seem to markedly deteriorate Finnish mothers’ careers.

A study of factors associated with performance of mothers roles in the childcare period

A study of factors associated with performance of mothers roles in the childcare period

How does AIDS illness affect women's residential decisions? Findings from an ethnographic study in a Cape Town township

This paper explores the nature and consequences of residential decision-making for women on treatment for AIDS illness in a poor urban settlement in South Africa. Drawing on ethnographic data collected over a two-year period, it points to the subtle shifts in ‘householding’ practices and kinship relationships prompted by women's individual experiences and understanding of their HIV status, illness and treatment. Women's decisions to move or to arrange that other family members move can be explained by pre-existing threats to individual wellbeing or family residential security. But an HIV diagnosis can intensify a mother's thoughts and actions in relation to residential and emotional security, in particular on behalf of her children. In a context where extended periods of childcare by rural relatives is common, mothers with AIDS illness may gather all their children in their home to offer direct care, achieve intimacy and facilitate disclosure. They are likely to avoid making frequent contact with, and demands on, their elderly parents. Siblings are favoured as co-residents and confidants in disclosure, but their long-term support is contingent on reciprocity. Partners, where present, are valued for economic, social and emotional security. Women attempt to balance their children's nurturing, in the short and long term, with care of the self. Their efforts do not always succeed and can incur high costs to their wellbeing and relationships with their children.

Smoking Situation of Mothers from the Pregnancy Period to the Child Care Period ;

【背景・目的】 妊婦や母親への禁煙支援及び乳幼児の受動喫煙防止を検討するため, 妊娠期から育児期の母親の喫煙状況を, 明らかにすること. 【方 法】 A市の, 2006年4 ～11月の乳幼児健診 (4か月～ 3歳半) 対象児の母親全て (2,849人) に, 自記式質問紙を郵送し, 同意者から回収した. 【結 果】 50.3％有効回答を得た. 母親の喫煙者は, 12.8％であった. 妊娠期における喫煙状況は, 喫煙者46.7％, 禁煙者51.1％であった. ロジステック回帰分析の結果「同居家族の子どもの前での喫煙」「1日の喫煙本数」「喫煙開始年齢」「子どもの年齢」の4項目と母親の子どもの前での喫煙において, 有意な関連が認められた. 【結 論】 51.1％が出産後の再喫煙者であった. 母親の子どもの前での喫煙において, 「同居家族の子どもの前での喫煙」「1日の喫煙本数」「喫煙開始年齢」「子どもの年齢」の4項目に有意な関連が認められた.

Time Use Classification Focused on the Dietary Behaviors : Case Study on the Behaviors of a Woman during Child Care Period in 27 Successive Days

Time Use Classification Focused on the Dietary Behaviors : Case Study on the Behaviors of a Woman during Child Care Period in 27 Successive Days

P1081 妊娠期・子育て期の女性労働者のストレスに関する実態調査報告(一般演題:ポスター,地方の時代の産業保健,第79回日本産業衛生学会)

P1081 妊娠期・子育て期の女性労働者のストレスに関する実態調査報告(一般演題:ポスター,地方の時代の産業保健,第79回日本産業衛生学会)

Characteristics of the social support for pregnant women in Japan--according to concept of four kinds of social support

The qualities of the social support and social network for pregnant women influence their mental and physical states during pregnancy and childcare period. We adopted Cronenwett's conceptual framework and the four kinds of the social support (emotional, material, information and comparison support) based on House's definition to examine the qualities of them. As for support resources, pregnant women's family, friend and husband's family provided most of the social support for pregnant women. Among of them, husband, mother, sisters, and husband's mother were especially important members, providing satisfactory support for pregnant women. The pregnant woman's and her husband's families were the main resources of emotional and material support. Friend was the that of information and comparison support. The pregnant women most perceived emotional support with the largest supportive members. Material support was perceived the most clear and independent kind from other three ones of supports.

Combining work with caring for children, findings from a longitudinal study of midwives' careers

Facilities that enable women to combine work with caring for children are of particular importance to professions comprised primarily of women, such as midwifery. This article presents findings on four aspects of this topic obtained in the course of a 13-year longitudinal study of midwives' careers: the numbers who had children and had taken breaks for pregnancy and child care, opportunities for professional development during periods of child care; the effect of such breaks on career progression, and the importance of family commitments in relation to retention. The majority of both cohorts were single women in their twenties at the time that they qualified as midwives. During the course of the study more than half the respondents had children; pregnancy was cited as the main reason for leaving midwifery followed in later years by being unable to find posts with hours of work that could be combined with family commitments. Findings showed little evidence of employers keeping in touch with midwives during child care breaks about job opportunities and professional developments; the majority of respondents however, said that they would have welcomed such contact. In common with other work on women's careers, this study demonstrated that breaks for child care are associated with slower rates of promotion. A wide range of issues were identified by respondents as relevant to retention, with those relating to combining work and family rated consistently as among the most important. The study demonstrates the importance that should be accorded to this issue when overall policies to improve retention in midwifery are being considered.