2025 Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 1-15
This study aims to classify mothers based on diverse family environments and clarify their wage formation mechanisms. It also seeks to provide policy implications based on comparative analysis with Asian countries. PAM clustering was conducted by using a Gower distance matrix to classify mothers according to family environment. Then, multiple regression analysis was performed within each cluster to clarify their wage formation mechanisms, using family environment and employment characteristics as explanatory variables. The dataset used for empirical analysis was obtained from the Social Science Japan Data Archive at the University of Tokyo.
As a result, mothers were classified into three types: the Isolated Burden Type, the Cooperative Child-Rearing Type, and the Independent Nuclear Family Type. In all types, employment type (regular or non-regular) had the most significant impact on wages. In the Isolated Burden Type, co-residence with family members other than the spouse significantly reduced wages. In both the Cooperative Child-Rearing Type and the Independent Nuclear Family Type, time constraints and the total hours spent on child-rearing suppressed wages. These findings align with Gender Role Theory and Life Course Theory, reaffirming that wage formation mechanisms for mothers are shaped not only by employment market structures but also by social norms.
The study suggests the necessity of reforms that promote regular employment among mothers and reduce time constraints through flexible work arrangements and expanded child-rearing infrastructure.
