My name is Souta, and I am in the fifth grade of elementary school. I am in the 5th grade of elementary school, and when I turned 10 and started thinking about my future, I realized that there are a lot of things in the world that I don’t understand. I’ve had many people tell me the answer to how I can make my mom and dad more happy doing housework and working. So why do mom and dad still seem to have a hard time? To Rico’s question, I replied that I had heard the phrase “social vacuum” somewhere.
Onii-chan! How can we change the “social atmosphere?”
Hmmm, I wonder how to change that…
Because, you know, from what I’ve heard from various people from Onii-chan, I think people can have more fun without feeling bad.
Yeah. You certainly all had positive things to say.
First of all, Dad can’t ever take off work for my arts and crafts, can he?
There’s even a way for mom and dad to share the household chores well, right?
That’s right. Mr. Miki said that if we think of it as housework sharing rather than housework sharing and take responsibility together, we can work well together.
Even men who don’t work and do housework and childcare are allowed to do so, right?
You’ve learned that Mr. Horikome, whom you’ve talked to, actually does, and that he’s not really changing.
Even moms working is difficult, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done, right?
Yes, there are a lot of people actually doing the work, and Mr. Hanyu said they are trying to increase the number of women in managerial positions, which are summary positions.
And yet, in reality, everyone seems to be having a hard time. What is the reason for this?
So…it’s like the “air of society”….
What do you mean by “social atmosphere” in the first place?
Yes, ……, I have a vague idea of what I’ve been taught, but it’s difficult, so I guess I’d better talk about it with my mom and dad.
I called my mom and dad and told them what I had learned and felt from talking to various people who had helped me figure out if dads were supposed to “help” with chores.
Wow, Souta, I didn’t know you did that! That’s amazing! “Helping “. I didn’t notice that. I’ll have to be careful from now on.
I see. And finally, what is the “social climate “? How can we change it? What do you think, Dad?
I guess so. I think everyone in the company, not just me, may have the same “belief” that I should not take a day off as Mr. Aono says. If that is the case, the hurdle for taking a day off will become even higher because everyone else is not taking a day off. I think this can be called a “social vacuum.
Even at my company, women with kids are not asked to work overtime, even when everyone else is busy. Sometimes moms want to work hard when dad can go home early, but…. But I can’t say “I’ll work overtime” because it’s not mean-spirited, but because the company is taking it into consideration, and I can’t say anything that would break the “air”.
I didn’t care what my classmates thought about me playing Dorothy from Oz, though. I said I wanted to play the role I wanted to play.
If everyone were like Rico, there would be no need to think about the “social vacuum. However, many people cannot act differently from what everyone else assumes or thinks they should do, and I think this is the true nature of the “social vacuum.
Souta! You have grown up so much. So, in order to change the “social atmosphere,” it is important for everyone to eliminate their assumptions and not make assumptions.
Then, assumptions and assumptions are what you think you are doing, so you say, “Okay! Let’s change it!” Can’t you just say, “Okay!
But just as I didn’t feel comfortable with my dad “helping” me with the housework, assumptions are often things I’m not aware of in the first place. My boss, who tries to get me home early, also seems to have the idea that moms should do their best at housework, no offense. It’s hard for me to realize it and change it by myself, unless someone points it out to me.
Come to think of it, Hanyu taught me a simple way to notice for myself whether I am making assumptions about myself “because I am a woman” or “because I am a man” without realizing it.
How do you do it?
For example, yes, the phrase that Dad says to Riko, “Girls, be careful of injuries. Let’s turn this around for boys and girls. Then it becomes, “Boys, be careful of injuries. What did you think?
It sure sounds like something I’m not used to saying.
But even boys have to be careful about injuries.
Then “men are all about work” becomes “women are all about work.” Is that weird?
Yes, I think there are even women who work all the time, but I feel uncomfortable. When I think about it, I realize that I may be saying “men” and “women,” “boys” and “girls,” on a regular basis. I guess it’s just an assumption.
It’s not just gender. I feel like people often make assumptions about people because they “work for a company,” “graduated from a difficult university,” “came from XXX,” etc.
Would just changing what we say have the effect of reducing assumptions?
Yes, I think it’s possible. There’s a better chance of change than doing nothing, I’m sure.
And if many people do this, I think it will lead to a change in the “social atmosphere.
Then! Let’s do more together from now on!
It is important to notice assumptions and not make assumptions. I have come to realize that if everyone understood this, we would surely enjoy working more, and it would be less likely to cause dissatisfaction with the way we share household chores. How else can we get more people to understand?
Dad, do you have a better way to get the word out to as many people as possible to change the “social vacuum”?
Yes, I agree. For example, how about asking the question on TV, online news, newspapers, and other things that everyone watches?
“Let’s get rid of our assumptions!” is what you’re telling them?
If that is the case, the message itself will be judgmental, and some people may react against it. We need to convey the message in such a way that people who see it will feel that it is important.
I don’t think it’s just the news. I think people in dramas and commercials are also mostly women raising children, or men working in offices, and I think those should be changed too.
Okay, that may also be an assumption.
But lately, I think I’ve seen men in commercials for diapers and detergents.
Oh, it’s true! You certainly see that a lot.
I think that if we can change these aspects and learn about various values and ways of life, we can change our image and assumptions.
Also, there are even countries in the world where it is normal for men to do housework, so how did those places get that way? It would be a good idea to try to emulate them.
Oh, that’s a good idea!
I remember when I met someone from Sweden on business. He said that over there, it is normal for many men to take maternity leave to do housework and childcare.
I see! I didn’t know there were countries like that. I wish they teach that kind of thing in school.
Ah! School would be nice!
I’ve heard that they’re teaching that kind of thing in home economics classes these days.
Then I’m sure I’ll probably learn it in a little while too.
It may not be quite the same as my assumption, but I wish there were a lot more convenient appliances to do more housework. Then I wouldn’t hate doing it.
Men like those high-tech appliances and such.
Mom, isn’t that the assumption you were making earlier? I’m sure there are women out there who like high-tech appliances, too.
It’s true! I just said I was going to change it.
In other words, you know it in your head, but it’s not easy to change it. Don’t worry. I will point it out to you as many times as you want, and if I make a mistake, I want you to point it out to me too. But this is just our family’s way of doing things, and I don’t want to impose it on other people’s houses.
Yes, that’s right. Let’s start with our family. If we do that, the “social atmosphere” may change.
Yes, I agree. It is important to believe that the “social atmosphere” will change.
Okay, let’s start by changing the inside of the house!
We had a good time talking and before I knew it, it was time for dinner. We discussed the menu and decided on gyoza (dumplings), Dad’s specialty! Dad started preparing with what we had at home, and Mom went to buy the missing items and dessert. Meanwhile, Riko and I cleaned up the table and then wrapped the dumplings with Dad. When Mom came home, she bought her favorite dessert and looked rather happy. Dad was also happy to see her. When everyone worked together to make the dumplings, the meal was not only delicious, but also a joyous occasion.
If we make even a small change like this, something may change by the time we raise our children.
