ファミリーホーム制度と仮親概念に関する社会学的研究

In recent years, child abuse and neglect by birth parents has become a serious problem in Japan. One suitable, practical measure in response to this problem is to provide family-based care for abused or neglected children who cannot live with their birth parents. However, in 2018, it was found that only about 20 percent of abused or neglected children live in family-based care settings, such as foster care. The rest live in residential facilities, institutions, or group homes. The “family home care system” was introduced in Japan in 2009 in order to increase the number of children who are placed in family-based care surroundings, and to provide them with alternative families. Firstly, this article tries to identify the basic characteristics of family home care by comparing family home care and residential care. Secondly, the study analyses the main roles of carers in the family home care system. Thirdly, the study tries to find out whether family home carers might be seen by children they look after as fictive kin parents. I use the term “fictive kin” to refer to an individual who is not related to a child by birth, adoption, or marriage, but has an emotionally significant relationship with the child. With regard to the first point, the study suggests that family home carers provide a continuity of care for children in placement, without any interruption. On the other hand, residential child care workers work round-the-clock shifts and take rest breaks from caring while children under their care are looked after by other workers. Secondly, the study shows that one of the essential roles which family home carers undertake is the socialization of children, whereby they are taught to behave in a way that is acceptable in society, and acquire the knowledge and skills, as well as learn to conform to the social norms which are vital to independent living. Thirdly, the study implies that family home carers can be considered by children to be their fictive kin parents who provide them with a supportive, protective, and caring environment.