child support
The reality of the problem of "child poverty" is a serious issue in Japan. In particular, the results of a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare ( 2016 ) show that half of single-parent families are in poverty.
Single-parent families are mostly single-mother households, and the main reason is that it is difficult for the mother to earn a stable income while raising children. In addition, because parents spend a lot of time away from home due to work, it is difficult for children to devote time to housework and studying. It is not uncommon for them to eat meals alone .
Problems caused by poverty
1) Poor diet
They may not be eating the right meals. The rate of children skipping breakfast is high in low-income families, and parents have a heavy burden of work and housework, so they often eat meals that are nutritionally unbalanced.
2) Lack of access to education
It also affects the rate of students moving on to higher education. The rate of students moving on to higher education tends to be low among single-parent families, those on welfare, and those who grew up in child welfare institutions. This is due to limited learning opportunities and educational disparities.
3) Low self-esteem
Children who grow up in poverty often feel different from their friends and experience material shortages, which can lead to low self-esteem. This can lead to a lack of hope for the future and a decrease in motivation to study.
These issues have a significant impact on children's healthy development and participation in society, and require appropriate support and awareness from society as a whole.
Organizations we support
Musubie – NPO National Children's Cafeteria Support Center
We are an NPO that works to support children's cafeterias across the country in order to create an environment where children can go to children's cafeterias anywhere in the country without worry.