Habukawa Nanami - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

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Student Papers by Habukawa Nanami

Sophia University Undergraduate Papers, 2022

Single motherhood can be classified as a sensitive topic in Japan due to social stigma and prejud... more Single motherhood can be classified as a sensitive topic in Japan due to social stigma and prejudice. Additionally, single mothers suffer from low incomes, precarious employment, and a lack of governmental support. However, these are only part of the struggles encountered by single mothers. In addition to such external challenges, single mothers also face internal struggles such as guilt, and language barriers for migrant mothers. Additionally, the persistent struggles experienced by single mothers emphasize the lack of support they receive in Japanese society. Still, single mothers find social sources of support. Based upon in-depth interviews with 16 single mothers of which 9 were Japanese and 7 were foreign nationals, this paper presents both the struggles of osingle mothers in Japan and the sources of support they receive in order to manage these challenges they face. The sources of support single mothers receive are categorized into children, parents, friends, current partners, ex-partners, former in-laws, and governmental institutions. The relationship of the mother and child is explored in detail. The child's responses to the single motherhood experience and the divorce process shows how the struggles encountered by single mothers can impact the household and mother-child relationship. The single mother’s relationship with the self is also significant as it involves the internal moral struggles experienced by single mothers in Japan.

Sophia University Undergraduate Papers, 2022

Single motherhood can be classified as a sensitive topic in Japan due to social stigma and prejud... more Single motherhood can be classified as a sensitive topic in Japan due to social stigma and prejudice. Additionally, single mothers suffer from low incomes, precarious employment, and a lack of governmental support. However, these are only part of the struggles encountered by single mothers. In addition to such external challenges, single mothers also face internal struggles such as guilt, and language barriers for migrant mothers. Additionally, the persistent struggles experienced by single mothers emphasize the lack of support they receive in Japanese society. Still, single mothers find social sources of support. Based upon in-depth interviews with 16 single mothers of which 9 were Japanese and 7 were foreign nationals, this paper presents both the struggles of osingle mothers in Japan and the sources of support they receive in order to manage these challenges they face. The sources of support single mothers receive are categorized into children, parents, friends, current partners, ex-partners, former in-laws, and governmental institutions. The relationship of the mother and child is explored in detail. The child's responses to the single motherhood experience and the divorce process shows how the struggles encountered by single mothers can impact the household and mother-child relationship. The single mother’s relationship with the self is also significant as it involves the internal moral struggles experienced by single mothers in Japan.