なぜ日本の乳幼児子育て期の保護者はリフレッシュ目的で一時預かり事業を利用しにくいのか？

This study clarifies the reasons Japanese parents experience difficulties in using the temporary childcare system for parental relief. Three factors were identified following a literature review of previous research related to temporary childcare systems and information from the official websites of each municipality. First, it was difficult to identify the little information provided about institutional procedures. When parents attempt to use the temporary childcare system for parental relief, they need to collect information and procedures from over one month prior and it is necessary to organize with the childcare provider in advance. Local governments may not provide enough information and may not maintain or manage temporary childcare systems. Second, temporary childcare was difficult to use for parental relief because of unconscious bias. For example, the unconscious bias, i.e., “childcare is the mother’s responsibility,” means that principals may not respond positively to the parents’ need to use the temporary childcare system for relief. Third, the mothers’ guilt makes them hesitate using the temporary childcare systems. Mothers also hold the same unconscious bias that childcare is the mother’s responsibility; therefore, they may hesitate using the temporary childcare system. Furthermore, these behaviors and actions also interfere with other mothers’ use of the temporary childcare systems for parental relief.