Soutien des mères en difficulté dans les <em>chiiki kosodate shien kyoten</em> au Japon

Abstract

Support for mothers in their child rearing is one of the major actual family policies realized in Japan today. Over 6000 meeting places were created and became popular among mothers and children. This study aims to highlight the function of mothers’ support provided by meeting places and the role of their professionals, by analyzing interviews to professionals carried out at 17 meeting places. The results are presented in two parts. First, the process of support and the main features of professionals’ work in meeting places are described. Then, the support provided to mothers with specific difficulties, such as psychological anxiety, family life problems, or isolation in the community, are analyzed. We conclude that the warm and convivial setting of the place helps mothers to feel relieved and express themselves easily. Individual support by professionals is efficient on this basis. Meeting place can be useful for mothers in difficulties as the first step of asking for help.