Why do Japanese people leave children walking and playing alone without adults?

Japanese children can freely travel and play alone without adult supervision. This has become a characteristic of their parenting. And what is the reason?

When I was younger I used to read Japanese comics, especially Doremon. Looking at the Nobita, Xuka, Chaien, Xe Ko groups going to school all the time without any adult figure, I was a little confused. I admire the characters in the story that why they only have grade 3, grade 4 and still be able to go to school by themselves, and I, until the ninth grade, still got my mother to take me every day.

When I grew up, I understood, in fact, this is part of Japanese cultural identity , not in the film's story. And today, after so many stories about child safety, people are more and more discussing and discussing how children in Japan often go to school, then go out on their own without people. big next to more.

Because in the country of cherry blossoms, you can easily see a bunch of children trudging on the road alone and doing everything themselves. In lovely cute uniforms, they go to the school themselves, board the train or bus station, buy their own food, pay for themselves and receive the excess money.

While the University of Westminster study showed that only 25% of Western elementary children walk home on their own, that figure is almost absolute in Japan. Sometimes people have to say that Japan is "free" of children on the street, so that they face danger, but why Japanese people risk their children out of their reach right from the moment baby, it is a human investment story.

Picture 1 of Why do Japanese people leave children walking and playing alone without adults?
In Japan, you can easily see a bunch of kids trudging on the road alone and doing everything on their own.

"I can never let a 9-year-old child go to the subway alone in London or New York, but Tokyo does." - People have said that about Japan's largest city, like a star. testimony to the safety of Japan, and the independence of the children of this country.

You probably know "My first errand" - I grew up, the famous Japanese TV series, which has been more than two decades old, has clearly depicted the self-reliance and ability to improvise. children in this country in every challenging situation that the program sets for them.

According to the format of the Child who has grown up , the children will be assigned by the family to buy and sell, or go to get things to help parents from point A to point B alone. Surprisingly, they can almost easily complete the challenge without too much difficulty. Why do they manage to be so good alone is not due to neglect from their parents so they have to wrestle with their surroundings, but it is a Japanese way of education , small age of small work, not a small age is sitting in a seat to do generals.

It is the same for Japanese people to let children go to school by themselves. There are a number of elementary schools that use group-based methods, ie a group of students will go to school together in the morning, of course, there will be volunteers or people on the way from home to school. Large standing monitoring, ensuring the safety for children.

On the other hand, the school administrators themselves also encourage parents to let their children go to school by themselves.Leaving children to go to school will teach them about the roads and directions around to be able to handle alone when they have to go outside.

To avoid getting lost or anticipating the dangers that may happen to children, it is easy to find safe houses for children with Kodomo 110 boards on every road in Japan. These are essentially houses that coordinate with the authorities, schools and families in the area to protect children from any danger. Once you encounter a stranger or are in danger of getting unhappy, children can ring the door for a Kodomo 110 board to be sheltered and receive protection from adults in the house.

Picture 2 of Why do Japanese people leave children walking and playing alone without adults?
Kodomo 110 table.

A child in Japan can start going out on his own without the guidance of his parents since they were 8 or 9 years old, some of them even earlier. However, Japanese trams are usually very safe and always on time, easy to track, so children can afford to move without worrying about getting lost.

So what is the reason for the Japanese people to let their children go around the city without an adult escort beside them?

First , the crime rate in Japan is very low, almost the lowest in the world. Because of that, Japanese parents feel more secure when leaving their children alone.

Secondly , half of the journeys in Japan and through public transport such as buses and subways. Therefore, traffic accidents are rare in Japan, one more reason. In addition, the Japanese government has been piloting more subway routes for women only to create a friendly environment for women and to prevent the love of green beard from harassing. People added another reason to trust their children to use public transport services in their home countries.

It is impossible not to mention another factor that people are quite friendly with each other . So it is not difficult for children to go out. Need to ask where to ask, someone will help you.

Picture 3 of Why do Japanese people leave children walking and playing alone without adults?
A child in Japan can start to go out on the street without the help of parents.

"Japanese children learn very quickly from that. Every member of the community is called to be willing to help others."

On the other hand, not only adults but Japanese children are young but are responsible . Ever since she was born, they have been tasked with sweeping landscapes and public areas. This activity over time will make children feel the pride, the obedience - the two most important luggage to help children overcome difficulties in the future.

Also from these reasons, Japanese people can trust and let their children freely develop, go to school, eat by themselves, and go out on their own. They think that, when they are independent, they will be more mature later. This is called a long-term investment in terms of people, also an investment in the future of the country.