EN-ICHI Opens Up the Future of Family and Community
[Info. File] 70% Interested in Parenting Support, But Have Never Used It
Based on a Survey of Parents by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology published a report on the 2024 edition of the "Research to Promote Home Education Support (Survey on Parents on Home Education)" in September 2024.
A survey was conducted following fiscal year 2023 regarding support for home education by the national and local governments. A survey of 2023 revealed that even families with child-rearing problems are not using much support for home education from the government.
The 2024 survey was conducted in late July, with approximately 1,900 people responding, including those raising children and those who have experienced raising children (Since screening was applied, there are some questions with different number of respondents).
Regarding the government's "home education support," 28.0% of respondents said they had "established consultation desks for parents," and 21.4% said they had "introducing materials and information useful for raising children (on the Internet)". On the other hand, 54.6% said "There is nothing that applies," with over half of the respondents not knowing the initiative itself.
However, among those who are currently raising children or expecting their first child, 65.8% responded that they are “interested in parenting support.” Interest is particularly high among parents who are pregnant or have children aged 0 to preschool.
However, the most frequently used support—“viewing or utilizing parenting resources and information for parents (online)”—was reported by only 12.7%. Usage rates were even lower for services that require parents to visit in person, such as “using family education support teams” (6.6%) and “using consultation services for parents” (6.2%). Meanwhile, as many as 74.4% answered that they had “never used” such support, highlighting the challenges of raising awareness of parenting support policies and creating an environment that makes them easier to access.
Satisfaction levels among those who have actually used these services are generally high. Participation in “communities related to family education (such as family education classes)” showed a satisfaction rate of 85.4% (combined “satisfied” and “somewhat satisfied”), “attending lectures or training sessions on family education” scored 72.9%, and “using consultation services for parents” scored 71.8%. A clear trend was observed in which connections between parents and between children tend to lead to higher satisfaction.
Source: Compiled by the author based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "2024 Research for Promoting Support for Family Education" (文部科学省「令和6年度 家庭教育支援推進のための調査研究」)
In addition, regarding the types of support considered necessary to address anxieties and concerns about parenting, many respondents in the 35–44 age group emphasized not only the availability of accessible consultation services but also opportunities to “participate in spaces or communities where they can connect with families in similar situations or with similar concerns.” The report analyzes this trend by stating that “younger generations of parents are in need of support for community building.”
(Published with additions and revisions in the February 2025 issue of "EN-ICHI FORUM")
