Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the roles and function of the Japanese custom of the parturients' perinatal visit and stay with their parents 'Satogaeri', which is still practiced by many women. To learn about their impressions of 'Satogaeri', and the assistance received from their own mothers during 'Satogaeri', we analyzed the subjective experience of women yielded from interviews conducted, either before or after delivery. Our findings were discussed in light of improving childrearing support and development of the mother-infant relationship and maternal identity.
Subjects and method
Using a semi-structured protocol, ten primiparae and five multiparae were extensively interviewed individually to generate detailed, subjective narratives concerning their home stay experiences and the assistance they received from their mothers. These data were analyzed using qualitative methods.
Results
In addition to the traditional form of Satogaeri in which a woman visits her parents' home and stays with them for a period of time, either before delivery or after, the study found new forms of Satogaeri in which some women had their mothers come to their homes, stay with and help the daughters, or either one commutes between their respective homes daily. Ten out of 15 subjects reported that 'they thought it was a matter of course for them to practice Satogaeri.' The subjects gave the following three as the most useful functions of this experience: (1) It enabled them to relax themselves physically, (2) It resolved their anxiety about childrearing demands, (3) It provided an opportunity for them to learn how to care for their babies under the guidance of their own mothers. Some subjects also reported experiencing some discontent during Satogaeri, due to lack of privacy, mothers' over-interference and anxiety over re-adaptation to a life without their mothers' assistance when Satogaeri ends. Two subjects were even reminded of past conflicts with their parents. However, through intimate interactions and conversations, they managed to overcome the hurt feelings and resolve their conflicts. All subjects reported obtaining better mutual understanding with their parents through Satogaeri. As having only a satisfactory mother - daughter relationship is the minimum prerequisite for either party approaching the other regarding Satogaeri, specialized, professional assistance is considered necessary and possible for some would-be yet hesitant participants of a Satogaeri experience.
Conclusion
As a custom, Satogaeri has provided a place, or locus, to assist birth-giving women to regain their usual bodies, and to ease their anxiety about up-coming childrearing tasks. It serves as a haven for infant development as well as the development of motherhood, with the benefit of learning under the guidance of one's own mother. This is especially important because modern Japan is rapidly becoming a society where the transmission of childrearing traditions and knowhow is in danger of being disrupted due to the disappearance of extended families and local communities; the main childrearing niches that have existed for thousands of years. In order to benefit from this practice, professional assistance for some prospective individuals, with attachment conflicts, could be helpful. Assistance for post-Satogaeri should also be considered and provided for special individuals.
