A comparative study of childcare in Japan and the USA: who needs to take care of our young children?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences in the perceptions of childcare among early childhood teachers in Japan and the USA. Participants consisted of 278 Japanese early childhood teachers (10 males and 268 females) on the Japanese mainland and 78 American early childhood teachers (5 males and 73 females) in the southeastern and northeastern states of the USA. The results of quantitative analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in these perceptions, with American teachers demonstrating a stronger belief than Japanese teachers that mothers should take care of young children. Both groups of teachers, however, had similar views that group care offers positive development to children. The implications for early childhood teacher education will be presented.