Awareness Survey of 18-Year-OldsResults of 24th installment announced

The 24th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out in mid-March on the theme of “Children and Family.” The survey found that roughly 90% of respondents felt that there was somewhere, either their home or somewhere else, where they felt “at home,” while close to 10% did not. Close to two-thirds did not approve of corporal punishment as a form of discipline, with the main reasons being that pain and suffering do not resolve anything, and that no form of violence is acceptable. In addition, 80% of respondents were aware of the growing issue of child abuse across Japan, while only one in four were aware of legal revisions aiming to reduce child abuse set to take effect from April, and only one in six of all respondents felt the legal changes would reduce child abuse.

Notes:

  1. From the 13th survey, the number of respondents, comprising men and women aged 17 to 19, has been increased to 1,000 from 800. (With the exception of the 20th installment, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” all surveys cover respondents in Japan only.)
  2. In the information below, differences between total amounts and simple sums are due to rounding.

Survey 24. Children and Family (Results announced on April 28, 2020)

Finding: Roughly 90% of respondents felt that there was somewhere, either their home or somewhere else, where they felt “at home,” while close to 10% did not. (n=1,000)

“Do you feel “at home” in the home (or facility) where you were raised?”
“Is there somewhere other than the home (or facility) where you were raised where you feel “at home?”

  • I feel “at home” in the home where I was raised, and there is somewhere else where I also feel “at home.” – 64.7%
  • I feel “at home” in the home where I was raised, but there is nowhere else where I feel “at home.” – 18.7%
  • I do not feel “at home” in the home where I was raised, but there is somewhere else where I feel “at home.” – 8.0%
  • I do not feel “at home” in the home where I was raised, and there is nowhere else where I feel “at home.” – 8.6%
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds.

Of those who felt “at home” in the home (or facility) in which they were raised, the main reasons were: (multiple answers allowed; n = 834)

  • Conversation comes naturally – 70.6%
  • I can live with peace of mind – 68.7%
  • People care about me – 44.8%
  • I can ask for advice – 36.6%
  • I feel respected – 35.1%
  • Others – 1.6%

Of those who did not feel “at home” in the home (or facility) in which they were raised, the main reasons were: (multiple answers allowed; n = 166)

  • I cannot live with peace of mind – 42.2%
  • I cannot ask for advice – 34.3%
  • I do not feel respected – 31.3%
  • Others are not interested in me – 28.3%
  • There is almost no conversation – 22.3%
  • Others – 10.2%

Of those who felt “at home” somewhere other than at their home, the main places were: (multiple answers allowed; n = 727)

  • With friends – 84.3%
  • At school – 49.8%
  • At part-time job – 12.4%
  • With people from the neighborhood – 5.9%
  • Others – 9.4%

Finding: More than 80% of respondents had more than a few fond family memories from their childhood. (n=1,000)

“Do you have fond family memories from your childhood?”

  • Yes, many – 42.7%
  • Yes – 43.2%
  • Only a few – 11.4%
  • None – 2.7%

Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds.

Of those who had at least some fond memories from their childhood, the most cited memories were (multiple answers allowed; n = 973):

  • Family trips – 79.4%
  • Birthday celebrations – 61.4%
  • Christmas and other family events – 51.4%
  • Participation in school events – 42.1%
  • Dolls’ Festival, Children’s Day, etc. – 30.3%
  • Participation in local community events – 21.5%
  • Being taught a sport or musical instrument – 18.7%
  • Others – 2.0%

Finding: More than 60% of respondents do not approve of corporal punishment as a form of discipline. (n=1,000)

“Do you approve of corporal punishment as a form of discipline?”

  • Yes – 12.3%
  • No – 62.5%
  • Don’t know – 25.2%
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds.

The top reasons given by those who do not approve of corporal punishment as a form of discipline were: (multiple answers allowed; n = 625)

  • Pain and suffering do not resolve anything – 62.9%
  • No form of violence is acceptable – 57.6%
  • It could lead to abuse – 55.7%
  • Children can grow without corporal punishment – 44.2%
  • Parents should explain things – 37.8%
  • It is best to let children grow by teaching them step by step – 22.9%
  • Others – 1.4%

Findings: (n=1,000)

  1. Roughly 80% of respondents were aware of the growing issue of child abuse across Japan
  2. Roughly one in four were aware of legal revisions aiming to reduce child abuse set to take effect from April
  3. Roughly only one in six of all respondents felt the legal changes would reduce child abuse.
Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: (n = 1,000)
In response to the question, “Are you aware of the growing issue of child abuse across Japan?”, 80.8% of respondents replied “Yes” and 19.2% replied “No.”
In response to the question, “Are you aware of legal revisions aiming to reduce child abuse set to take effect from April?”, 24.4% of respondents replied “Yes” and 75.6% replied “No.”
In response to the question, “Do you feel these legal changes will reduce child abuse?”, 16.3% of respondents replied “Yes,” while 31.7% replied “No,” and 52.0% replied “Don’t know.”

Contact

Public Relations Team
The Nippon Foundation

  • Email: cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp