Children, The Family and Health: What it Takes to Give Children Long Life
The Hawaii Workshop: Panel I
Panel members: Adi Koila Mara-Nailatikau, Naomi Backes Kamimura, Marcia Hartstock
Laura Crites introduced the topic of the changing roles of men and women and how that affects the health of children in the community. “Father Knows Best”, the notion that the father is the center of the family, always correct, all knowing and fair is no longer in effect. With the death of this idea there have been changes in many areas: the government, religion education and families. The greatest threat today for young children is not disease, rather it is in the silencing of women’s voices. Where there is aggressive behavior allowed and little gender equality, women’s values are lost.
The Title IX law in 1972, which directed gender equity in education has increased the number of high school women in sports from 7% to 50%. Studies show that girls in sports have higher positive self-esteem, higher grades, fewer teen pregnancies and better skills against relationship violence. Women who coach girl’s teams stress playing well and cooperation over competition resulting in fewer injuries and better morale. In the area of environment, women have led the way on volunteer projects; e.g. the Green Belt project is 99% women. In politics, women are more likely to sponsor legislation dealing with issues affecting children: education, health, day care, reproductive rights and abuse prevention. More women have been nominated for and received Peace prizes.
Women have always worked, primarily at unpaid or underpaid jobs. Now with women entering the paid workforce in unprecedented numbers, the family is being re-defined. There are single parent households, grandparents raising grandchildren, blended and step families. Families are not necessarily deteriorating, as some believe, but re-organizing. Employers are now dealing with benefits, which allow for care of dependents and reviewing family leave policies. This should allow for a win/win opportunity for all workers.
There is grieving among many for the Father knows best viewpoint. In many places, boys are still educated ahead of girls. Men are often elected to office and are not open to women’s issues. Many world religions still support the male-dominated society. There has been a rise in violence against women worldwide. Women in politics are welcomed but encouraged to “play by the boy’s rules”. We must have full gender equity to ensure the highest standards of health and well being for all of our children.
There are a rapidly increasing number of people in Fiji who are unable to take care of themselves. This number has doubled from 5,000 to 10,000 in the past few years. Splintered families, either by divorce or distant work locations has created a number of abandoned children. Another concern is the rising crime rate, alarmingly high among children and young adults. Truancy rates have risen as well as illegal drug use.
An increasing number of women are joining the workforce, many are the major wage earner for the family. More and more professional women are holding top positions in all areas including the government. Women can live their dreams. On the flip side, these is a social cost when mothers go to work outside the home. In the Pacific, there is a diminished role of the extended family. The daycare worker, with differing results has replaced the person who was the major link of the nuclear family to the extended family. Many mothers must work to supplement or earn the family income. Barter and non-cash goods are used infrequently compared to the past. For children, role models may now be found on the street rather than the home. Gang involvement has filled the void in some cases. With that activity smoking and drug use among young people are increased.
We must help working mothers. The Fijian government and women’s groups need to support the flex scheduling concept, so that parents can be home at critical times to coordinate the family day. Churches are involved in the care and education of children. Character development is stressed there and in schools. Kindergarten through grade 3 is recognized in Fiji as the most important time to establish values and life habits. Quoting the UNFPA, “every country and culture is important, but what we all want is the best for our children. They are our future”.
Children are like sponges; they soak up the attitudes and values from the environment around them. What are they learning from television and the outside world when adults may not be monitoring them? Like sponges, the children will give back out whatever they took in.
I will discuss my view of the changing roles of men and women in Japan based upon my experience of living in the US and Italy as well as Japan and the dilemmas in my own life over the choice to return to work.
In Japan today there are some changes occurring in the social order. Men and women are waiting until they are older to marry. In 1970 the average woman’s age was 24.6, now it is 27.3 years old. The number of marriages is decreasing. Many young women believe they must give up marriage if they wish to be successful in the business world. Most married women give up their paid jobs. The husband is considered to be unable to provide for his family if his wife works. The housewife has considerable status. Women support the schools and community organizations. At one time men contributed to the household chores and did the heavy work. When the demands of work created longer hours combined with a long commute, men have been kept from their families. A new concept in Japan is to include fathers to attend meetings at their children’s school and activities.
Women have been taught to be grateful for their husbands because they are cared for. Women who want careers are considered disgraceful, shaming the husband. I am one of the few women I know who can work. As a free-lance journalist, there is flexibility to work while children are attending school.
Japanese are big on following “the rules”. Generally, the people have not been encouraged to be independent. Following the word of the father of the family or following the government is what most people do. Now, after serious economic difficulties, many Japanese realize that society will have to change.
A serious health issue for children in Japan is caused by “examination hell”. The competition to get into the best primary schools begins as early as age 3. Years of extra work with tutors and constant pressure from adults takes its toll. The good part of education today in Japan is equality. Females are receiving more post-high school degrees than ever before. Young people in Japan are open to different perspectives than the generations before them.
Marcia works with Hawaii Kids Count. Her remarks will focus on the social factors affecting children in Hawaii and the US.
There are a growing number of children living in poverty. Twenty five years ago it was the elderly population, the situation has changed. In the US, the available income for young families has diminished. There are more single parents raising children. There has been a decrease in marriages as well as an increase in divorces. Children who live in poverty receive less pre-natal care, have lower birth weight, receive less health care, are less ready for school and continue with lowered school achievement. Families in poverty also tend to be more mobile, thus have less continuity in education. Parents focused on survival are often socially isolated. The higher the stress in the family, the greater the tendency toward violence and abuse.
What can we do as a society? High quality pre-school and daycare programs are essential. Both health care and intellectual development increase through good programs. Studies show that in the first year of life there are more negative effects for the child if the mother is gone, but in the second year there are positive social benefits. Mothers who are employed have higher math skills. They report better outlook and self-image if their jobs have variety over routine. Challenging work for mothers provides stimulation and increases the positive role modeling for the child. Studies show that parents in routine jobs tend to be autocratic, while parents in interesting jobs reward creativity in children.
Fathers are important in children’s lives. Absence of fathers due to divorce or non-marital birth becomes difficult for adolescents. They are more likely to have lowered grades and school achievement as well as difficulties with the law. Gender identity problems are often more difficult to resolve. There is also a higher tendency toward the high-risk behaviors of drugs, teen pregnancy and abuse. Active involvement of males in children’s lives is critically important. Men tend to be more playful and this helps to develop a child’s sense of humor.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002