Abstract
In this study, the correlations between free-time activities undertaken by mothers of children attending day nurseries or kindergartens and personal attributes of the mothers (age, educational background, type of household, employment, household income) were investigated in order to obtain an index that could be used in establishing future policies for assistance in child-raising. The subjects surveyed were 625 mothers of children attending day nurseries or kindergartens in Hokkaido. Questionnaires were sent to day nurseries and kindergartens, where they were distributed to mothers. The items surveyed were basic personal attributes (current number of children, mother's age, mother's educational background, employment, household income, type of household) and activities undertaken by the mothers in their free time. The results revealed that both the number and quality of activities undertaken by mothers in and around the home were insufficient. It was also shown that the activities undertaken by mothers in their free time are correlated to the mother's age, educational background, whether or not the mother is working, household income, and type of household.
