Japan's neglected children

[FinancialWar]

A first world OECD country that is neglecting and abuse it's own children. Toddlers placed into institutions with staff ratios of 13 to 1?

A conservative society that's rejecting children and adults who grew up in institutions.

Japanese government should really put more effort into promoting foster family and outlaw such discriminations.

 

[Dotanbatan]

A good news item ... It`s an awful reality that every nation has to deal with.

I`ll be generous and continue on the assumption that you are genuinely concerned about children`s welfare and not just having another bash at your favourite target .. Japan!


I`d like to highlight some things raised in the report:

1. The institutions in Japan are actually a LOT better than most other OECD countries .... where, as in the US, AUstralia and the UK, they are usually dangerous and often abusive places .... the news item actually confirms that the children are well cared for in Japan and do a good job. Remember, an institution can never replace a stable family. Institutionalised children and children from dysfunctional families will always have an uphill battle in life ... sad, but nothing new there.
The ratio of care is now 6 to 1 in Japan contrary to the 13 to 1 mentioned by the young man interviewed.

2. The news piece is actually highlighting the failure of Japanese Family Law to recognise the rights of children, which in turn hampers the effectiveness of increasing the Foster Care program in Japan.
The Japanese Government needs to change this and improve Foster care awareness and expand it throughout the nation. This is the message that should be taken from the AL Jazeera report.

3. The children who are put into care are sometimes there because of abuse and neglect but more often from the parent or guardian`s death or illness ...(mental illness being quite common). Foster carers do wonderful work and it needs to be more widely practised in Japan, but it also has lots of complications and is not always the best for the child. See links below.

4. Australia for example, has shocking numbers of child abuse and neglect. Non OECD countries are even worse ! India and China being in league of their own! If you think that Japanese people care less for their children than other Nationalities then you are very mistaken. I often question a lot of their parenting skills and the education / school life is intense but in my opinion they are usually better cared for by their parents.

Here is an interesting ABC report on the Foster care crisis in AUstralia ... it is hugely complicated and it confirms that Foster care isn`t always in the best interest for the child.

Foster care crisis - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)


A long read, but a good study of the problems that Foster care has in the US.

?-?The Future of Children -

 

[FinancialWar]

Of course, this is not an attack on Japan, in fact as most people know, Japan is my number 1 Favourite nation. I post this thread because I truly love Japan and care about Japanese children, which are the future of Japan.

In fact, I am considering adopting a Japanese child in the future. Got to stop letting them living in a institution, no matter how good it might seem, an institution can never replace the family like care and attention.

 

[WonkoTheSane]

1. The institutions in Japan are actually a LOT better than most other OECD countries .... where, as in the US, AUstralia and the UK, they are usually dangerous and often abusive places .... the news item actually confirms that the children are well cared for in Japan and do a good job.

I didn't read the story, but I can tell you as someone who has worked closely with these facilities in the USA the laws are strict and rigorously enforced. Gone are the days of any significant number of poorly run institutions.

I've consulted in Japan, and while there is a long way to go in access to curriculum and least restrictive environments, the facilities I've worked with have had caring, well meaning staff.