Abstract
Objectives This study examines the relationship between people's willingness to cooperate with others in childrearing, and their attitudes toward such cooperation. The study also examines their thoughts about their local living environment, and their awareness of social capital in this regard.
Methods In Study I, a questionnaire was constructed based on items derived from existing literature that examined people's willingness to cooperate with others in childrearing and their attitudes towards those who engage in cooperative childrearing. Two hundred and twenty-seven women, aged 20–60 years, and living in A Town, were asked to fill out the questionnaire.
In Study II, another questionnaire was constructed comprising 32 items derived from the questionnaire used in Study I that examined willingness to cooperate and attitudes toward cooperative childrearing. Furthermore, we added 15 items on the local living environment and 10 items on the elements constituting social capital. Three hundred and fifty-three mothers with pre-school children, 325 mothers with primary school children, and 383 women between 45 and 60 years of age, all living in the C Junior High School district in B City (a total of 1,061 respondents) completed the questionnaire.
Results We conducted a factor analysis, and the following eight factors (derived from 32 items) were extracted, which related to willingness to cooperate in childrearing and attitudes toward cooperative childrearing: “It is necessary to cooperate in childrearing”; “I take care of others’ children”; “I participate in festivals or local events”; “I play with children”; “Public assistance for children should be increased”; “I greet children”; “I observe people passing in front of my house”; and “I help with childrearing.”
In Study II, we also identified a factor that influenced willingness to cooperate in childrearing and attitudes toward cooperative childrearing: mothers’ and local residents’ awareness of the elements constituting social capital. Particularly noteworthy in this regard were the effects of conversation, consultation, and the lending and borrowing of household items between neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and relatives.
Conclusion Mothers’ and local residents’ awareness of the elements constituting social capital was identified as a factor that influences willingness to cooperate in childrearing and attitudes toward cooperative childrearing. In particular, connections and social interaction were shown to have primary influences.
