Mothers' beliefs toward motherhood and their parenting feelings in Japan and China<Science of Education>

概要

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Four hundred one mothers who live in Tokyo and Shanghai answered questions on working after marriage, working before and after childbirth, parenting feelings, and beliefs toward motherhood. The average figure of mothers participated in the study is as follows: Average age is 36 in Japan, 33 in China; Mothers with bachelor's degree or higher account for 24％ in Japan < 42％ in China; Working mothers account for 20％ in Japan, 80％ in China. Both similarities and differences were found about beliefs towards motherhood between Japanand China. For an example of difference, Japanese mothers have a strong belief that "mothers need toconcentrate on child-rearing until children become three years old, or children are negatively affected." Manymothers, both in Japan and China, feel fulfilled and happy in raising children. At the same time, they feel burden of child-rearing. Psychological burden is bigger in Japan whereas economical burden is bigger in China.These results were discussed from the viewpoint of the economical development and change of child-rearing culture in Japan and China.