Abstract
In family studies, there has been criticism of the over-emphasis of the nuclear family as the central unit of child rearing. On the other hand, the argument that the locus of social care should be “homelike” has gathered strength in recent years. This paper will consider why “home” can be the dominant logic in discussion about social care. Two controversies about social care will be taken up as sources. The analysis reveals that (1) At one time, there was strong criticism of making the locus of social care “homelike” so easily; (2) such criticism, on the other hand, has declined and various merits of care in small groups have been summarized in the concept of “homelike” today; (3) problems of child rearing in family or “homelike” care are therefore overlooked. In the discussion section, the reason why debate about social care is restricted to “home supremacism (idealizing family as the best care locus)” will be studied. In the conclusion, the need for a discussion about de-familialization to overcome the binary opposition of “homely” and “unhomely” will be suggested.
