Conception Analysis of “Jiko-Koteikan (Self-Esteem)” in the Context of “Child Poverty”

Abstract

The importance of the issue of “child poverty” has been discussed since the late 2000s in Japan. Within this issue, the concept of “jiko-koteikan (self-esteem),” which is directed at the child’s mind, is often used. Much of the previous research has investigated the measurement indicators of this concept and sought to support the improvement of the condition. Some studies discuss the problems of replacing economic issues in the minds of children. In this study, we argue for the importance of giving a description of the methodology in which the concept is used. Specifically, from an ethnomethodological perspective, we will focus on how and by whom this concept is used and what is accomplished by it. The analysis showed that when the “child” mind addressed the topic, the description was made using the characteristics of the “child” category, being included in both the “family” and “stage of life” collections. It was also revealed that the use of the concept of “jiko-koteikan (self-esteem),” made it possible to describe the way of relating to a wide variety of children as a moral relation of “support”. This suggests that it is possible to link the various supports under the frame of the “child poverty” issue. The use of self-affirmation in this way allows the {adult-child} relationship to be identified by the {supporter-supported} relationship.