1. JAPANESE FATHERS INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDCARE Masako Ishii-Kuntz, Ph.D. Department of Sociology University of California, Riverside

2. 1. OVERVIEW Traditional views on Japanese Fathers and Extent of Father s Childcare Involvement Traditional views on Japanese Fathers and Extent of Father s Childcare Involvement Decline in Birth Rates Decline in Birth Rates Childcare Leave Policy Childcare Leave Policy Significance of Research on Paternal Involvement Significance of Research on Paternal Involvement 2. RESEARCH Women and Men for Childcare Network Women and Men for Childcare Network 3. POLICY IMPLICATIONS

3. Traditional Views of Japanese Fathers 1. Earthquake, Thunderous, and Fiery Fathers 2. Fatherless Families Arm s Distance from Their Children 3. Economic provider

4. Extent of Father s Childcare Involvement Time spent with children (per day) Time spent with children (per day) FatherMother Japan3.32 hours7.44 Korea3.648.40 U.S.A.4.887.57 Childcare time Childcare time Japanese mothers 2.39 hours/day Japanese fathers 17 minutes/day (10 min./weekday, 29 min./Saturday, 38 min./Sunday) (Source: Japan Women s Education Association, 1995)

5. Decline in Birth Rate Steady decline in Japanese birth rates since Steady decline in Japanese birth rates since mid-1970s mid-1970s 1970 2.2 babies on average per woman 1970 2.2 babies on average per woman 19801.8 19801.8 19951.5 19951.5 20001.34 20001.34 20021.32 20021.32

6. Reasons for Decline in Birth Rate 1. Women s higher educational achievement and participation in labor force 2. Delay in marriage 3. Increase in ever-singles 4. Housing problems 5. Lack of husband s involvement in child care

7. Ministry of Health and Welfare s 1999 Campaign Appeal for greater paternal involvement Appeal for greater paternal involvement TV commercials and posters TV commercials and posters A man who doesn t raise his children can t be called a father. A man who doesn t raise his children can t be called a father.

8. Child Care Leave Policy Japan (Revision of 1992) Japan (Revision of 1992) Maximum of 1 year Maximum of 1 year 25% of salary is paid by the Employment Insurance 25% of salary is paid by the Employment Insurance 0.2% of fathers; 44.5% of mothers 0.2% of fathers; 44.5% of mothers Of those who take childcare leave, 99.2% are mothers Of those who take childcare leave, 99.2% are mothers U.S. U.S. Family care leave (12 weeks a year), Not compensated. Family care leave (12 weeks a year), Not compensated.

9. Significance of Research in Paternal Involvement 1. Higher birth rates 2. Effects on children 3. Effects on mothers and their marriage 4. Effects on fathers, themselves

10. My Research Why (and How) DO some men actively participate in child care? Why (and How) DO some men actively participate in child care? Rather than, why DON T they participate in child care? Rather than, why DON T they participate in child care?

11. Father s Involvement in Childcare Research Setting: Research Setting: In-depth interviews to members of WOMEN AND MEN FOR CHILDCARE NETWORK in Japan In-depth interviews to members of WOMEN AND MEN FOR CHILDCARE NETWORK in Japan Corporate fathers between 29 and 45 Corporate fathers between 29 and 45 Childcare Leave, Childcare Hours Childcare Leave, Childcare Hours

12. WOMEN AND MEN FOR CHILDCARE NETWORK Tokyo-based association (Ikujiren) Tokyo-based association (Ikujiren) Aims to increase paternal involvement in childcare as well as to reduce parents work hours Aims to increase paternal involvement in childcare as well as to reduce parents work hours Monthly meetings, Bi-monthly newsletters (circulation of 500), Internet discussion list, Homepage (http://www.eqg.org/), Symposiums, Lectures Monthly meetings, Bi-monthly newsletters (circulation of 500), Internet discussion list, Homepage (http://www.eqg.org/), Symposiums, Lectureshttp://www.eqg.org/

13. WOMEN AND MEN FOR CHILDCARE NETWORK: Notable Activities Response to 1999 campaign A man who doesn t raise his children can t be called a father. Then let us care for our children without any hesitation. Response to 1999 campaign A man who doesn t raise his children can t be called a father. Then let us care for our children without any hesitation. A letter to British Prime Minister, Tony Blair (2000) A letter to British Prime Minister, Tony Blair (2000) Opinion polls on childcare issues among political candidates for Japanese parliamentary election Opinion polls on childcare issues among political candidates for Japanese parliamentary election

14. Major Findings 1. Father-friendly workplace (Childcare Leave, Childcare Hours, Flextime) 2. Time availability 3. Childcare demand at home 4. Relative resources

15. Policy Implications Structural Changes Structural Changes 1. Increase in Compensation for Childcare 2. Provision of Father-friendly Workplace 3. Decrease in Work Hours Attitudinal Changes Attitudinal Changes 1. Family Life Education (NCFR) 2. Prenatal Fathering Education