社会事業的社会教育の実践構造に関する史的考察

―金沢市方面委員の活動と学習を事例として―

抄録

  This paper aims to clarify the structure and practice of adult and community education concerned with social work by examining educational practice in social settlements (“Zenrinkan”) and area commissioners’ training in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Area commissioners (called “Homen-iin”) were residents who had been appointed by the prefectural governor and were expected to be substantial social workers in the Taisho and pre-war Showa periods. They mainly conducted regional social surveys, offered health protection, introduced a job, and afford child protection. After 1918, the area commissioner system had spread throughout Japan, and the area commissioners’ practice varied regionally according to the situation. Area commissioners in Kanazawa established social settlements for residents who faced difficulties and to support their lives and educational activities.

  Meanwhile, area commissioners were being trained by the directors of the social division of Ishikawa prefecture. On the one hand, area commissioners learned systematic and scientific knowledge through participating and planning seminars, as well as national meetings. On the other hand, they acquired empirical knowledge by going on inspection tours to other regions and through daily practice in the community. In addition, area commissioners had local meetings to share their knowledge and experiences with other area commissioners and directors of the social division. For the directors, these meetings were educational opportunities to acquire empirical ideas from the practice of area commissioners. Thus, the structure of mutual education between area commissioners and the directors of social divisions becomes evident.