Conflicts between the Norm of the Modern Mother and Self-identity : A Case Study on the Family Support Center Program

Abstract

  This study explains the conflicts between the norm of the modern mother (e.g., “a mother should personally take care of her child”) and her self-identity. The increased numbers in Japan of women with advanced academic backgrounds and engaged in employment has weakened the norm of the modern mother. But it is referenced in managing the mother’s self-identity. Data are based on fieldwork conducted at family support center programs in Osaka and Tokyo between September 2003 and September 2007.

  An analysis of 17 interviews with individuals who availed themselves of external childcare offers the following results: (1) There exists a gap between self-identity and the norm of the modern mother, but to justify the use of childcare services, mothers refer to the norm of the modern mother. (2) They maintain their self-identity using a family support center program. (3) They are criticized for availing themselves of childcare services despite being full-time mothers, and this causes an internal conflict in these mothers. (4) To cope with the conflict, they conceal the reason to use a childcare service, and they reorganize their self-identity to be compliant with the norm of the modern mother.

  The implications of these findings are that the norm of the modern mother is maintained in the interactions between mothers and caregivers, and creates a platform to discuss methods to support childcare in society.