Empowering Childcare Support Workers to Become the Drivers of Social, Economic and Political Change

Abstract

What impact does engaging in childcare support have on the social, economic, and political empowerment of women ? What are the characteristics and determining factors that distinguish care workers who experience substantial social, economic, and political empowerment from those who experience little empowerment ?Analysis based on a survey conducted by Consumer Co―operative Institute of Japan revealed that ⑴ the mission and motivation of an organization is a determinant of social empowerment, ⑵ the amount of economic remuneration and the sense that the remuneration matches the activity are important determinants of economic empowerment, and ⑶ the perception that there is an innovation orientation （the sense that the work being performed does not exist in the current system and that the work is helping to change the community and society） is a determinant of political empowerment. In addition, empowerment in all areas tends to increase when there is awareness of the need to constantly acquire new skills, abilities, and knowledge.As efforts to diversify the types of childcare support continue, one of the keys is to develop mutual collaboration between care providers experiencing different degrees of empowerment. Furthermore, top priority must be given to raising the wages of “principal care providers” who experience substantial empowerment in all areas.