Slapdick Job: Paternal Leave

If we were to decide on the most pressing issues facing Japan, there are two likely contenders. First: the replacement of nuclear fuel as an energy source. The second is the growing aging population. The latter issue has so many implications and origins, making it a seemingly intractable issue. Thus, along with active policy-centered efforts, there is a push to change the attitude towards the situation.  The article talks about one such government effort to urge male workers to take paternity leave. The government has decided to make this push in the public sector in hopes that the local governments and private sector take head.

One curious point is discussion is the government’s publicized motive. Earlier in regards to bullying, we all thought it strange that the government thought the spike in bullying instances was a sign of progress. In the same vein, we may find it odd that the urge to take paternity leave was seen as a way to “empower women”. However, in an indirect sense this may lead to such empowerment. Raising children is often deemed the woman’s job in this country so rooted in tradition. Rather than hoping more men will take the opportunity to rest, the government may hope to have more women continue working.

In terms or current statistics and effect, only 21.6% of national government male staff used their paternity leave. The numbers for local government and private sector are even sparser at below 10%.

The long term effect of this move was not fully explained, and leaves much room for speculation. Does the government want to decrease the burden and stress of finding child care (nursery schools, babysitters, etc.)? Do they want people to experience the full range of parenting in hopes to spur future “family making plans”? Or, is this is the beginning of trying to change the culture of the country. Building complete parent-child relationships during the formative years of life has tremendous impact on the child’s psychology.