Chapter 6 Making Children an Attractive Choice 6.2 The Role of Media and Community in Spreading the Joy of Parenting

6.2 The Role of Media and Community in Spreading the Joy of Parenting

We often hear that "parenting is hard."
It is true that it is not all fun, with issues like sleep deprivation, children not listening,
and the struggle of balancing work and family.

But that cannot be all there is to it.

The moment a child stands up for the first time,
when they call you "Daddy" or "Mommy",
when they spot their parent and run over with a beaming smile—

If we could share that “joy of parenting” with society as a whole,
wouldn't "raising children" feel much more attractive?

However, in modern society, the negative image that "parenting equals burden" and "children equal a hassle"
has taken precedence.

Why does "having children" appear so negative?

Perhaps it is because there are overwhelmingly fewer places
to convey the "real fun of parenting."

1. The Role of Media: Conveying the Appeal of Parenting

In the past, every household had children.
If you walked through the neighborhood, you would see children, and in the shopping district, you would see mothers pushing strollers.
However, as the birthrate declines, the sight of children is becoming “a rare thing.”

Furthermore, television and social media tend to highlight “the hardships of child-rearing.” Parents exhausted from late-night feedings or single-parenting,
and the struggle of balancing child-rearing and work—.

Of course, these realities are important issues,
and they should not be ignored.

But if we could more actively convey the “fun of parenting,” wouldn't more people think, "Maybe having children isn't so bad"?

✅ Sharing positive stories
Increase content on TV, social media, and YouTube that conveys the joy of spending time with children.
For example, there could be more programs and videos that focus on stories like "this moment was happy" rather than "parenting failure stories."

✅ Introducing diverse parenting models
Positively introduce various forms of parenting, such as single mothers, father-led child-rearing, and co-parenting.
Create a society that accepts the diversity of parenting without being bound by the image of a "normal family."

✅ Sharing parenting success stories and real voices
The raw voices of parents conveying "how irreplaceable the time spent with children is."
By having the media actively broadcast this, we can spread the image that "having children enriches life."

2. The Power of Local Communities: Creating an Environment Where Parents Can Raise Children with Peace of Mind

In modern times, parenting has become “something that happens only within the home.” In the past, it was normal for neighbors to talk to children or for someone to say, "You're working hard, Mom," and lend a hand.

But what about now?

If a child fusses at the supermarket, they are looked at with cold eyes,
and if a baby cries on the train, people immediately click their tongues and say, "It's noisy."

Has raising children become “a matter for society as a whole” rather than
“the sole responsibility of parents”?

✅ Forming a culture of raising children in the community
Foster an awareness of “raising children as a community” and strengthen neighborhood ties. For example, neighborhood associations and shopping districts hosting “parenting support events” is one approach.

✅ Providing spaces for parents to interact
Increase the number of places in community centers and cafes where parents can share their parenting concerns. “My child was like that too,” “Have you tried this?” Just having a place where such casual conversations can happen makes the burden of parenting much lighter.

3. Re-recognizing time with children as “enriching time”

Parenting can certainly be difficult at times. But is “time spent with children” really such a negative thing?

For example, when you go for a walk with your child and they point to a flower on the side of the road and ask, “What is this?”

In that moment, you notice the changes in the seasons that you usually overlook. Oh, it’s spring already, you think.

When you are raising children, your perspective on the world changes. By being with your children, “everyday life” turns into something special.

✅ Hosting parent-child events
Increase opportunities for parents and children to enjoy together, such as outdoor experiences and craft workshops. Provide spaces where people can feel that “time spent with children is fun.”

✅ Strengthening corporate support measures
Companies should support parenting events and make it easier to achieve work-life balance. For example, by having companies support “parent-child participation events,” we can create an atmosphere where society as a whole supports parenting.

✅ Proposals to improve the quality of time spent with children
Increase content that nurtures children’s curiosity and activities that parents and children can enjoy together. Expand the options for “how parents interact with their children” and create

“an environment where parents can also grow with their children”.

Summary

It is important for society as a whole to share and communicate that parenting is not “a difficult task” but “an irreplaceable experience”.

By having the media actively convey “the joy of parenting” and having communities create a culture of “raising children together,” we aim for a society where having children becomes

“a very natural choice” rather than “a special burden”.

“Parenting is not something parents have to struggle through alone, but something to be enjoyed by society as a whole.”

If a society that thinks this way can be realized, wouldn’t the trend of the declining birthrate gradually change?

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