The Generating Mechanism of Involuntary Attendance in Japanese Senior High Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the generating processes of invol-untary attendance in Japanese senior high schools, where there are many serious problems in proportion to the "universalization". First of all, it is suggested that we should clarify the definition of "involuntary attendance", especially concerning its variability. Reviewing some previous literatures, two kinds of variables are pointed out as related factors (ie. "structural factors" and "process factors"). They are supposed to affect the generation of involuntary attendance in complicated way. Secondly, an empirical study is conducted according to the preceding theoretical framework. Through the statistical analysis of quantitative data on high school students (N=853), some findings are indicated as follows: (1) Involuntary attendance isn't inevitable phenomenon at all. (2) Indeed "stuructural factors" (in particular "involuntary entrance") are important ones in some degree, but "process factors" can function as the "improving factors". (3) Occupational relevance of formal curriculum can enhance the proportion of voluntary students, though a wish to get occupational qualifications isn't substantial. (4) Adaptaion to significant others in the classroom (eg. teachers ) can be a match for "structural factors" in the strength of partial correlation. (5) A possibility of organizational activities is exemplified. Finally, the political implications of this study are summarized and the conflicting relations between "conservatism" and "radicalism" are noted. It is necessary to analyze the social functions of Japanese senior high schools by scientific methods. It is also the essential task to the advancement of "involuntary attendance research"