77% of Ordinary Mothers Report "Might Abuse"—No Improvement in 7 Years. Survey of 4,400 Reveals Blind Spots in Child-Rearing Support

Mothers who have experienced the fear of "might abuse my child" account for 77%. Mothers who have experienced uncontrollable irritation are 94.4%. These are not stories from special families. These figures are reported by "very ordinary parents" with no history of postpartum depression diagnoses and who are in continuing marriages.

The Association for Infant and Toddler Child-Rearing Support has conducted four child-rearing reality surveys over seven years since 2016. The results of the largest survey conducted in 2023 (4,400 valid responses) were compiled into the "Postpartum Depression and Child Abuse Prevention Survey Policy Recommendation White Paper 2016–2023," published in June 2026. For seven years, mothers' suffering has not improved.

Key Data from the Survey

【94.4%】Mothers who experienced uncontrollable irritation (2023 survey)

Across all years, the peak occurred between "2-4 months postpartum." This coincides with the period after returning home from a visit to relatives and re-entering a nuclear family, where contact with adults drastically decreases.

【77.0%】Mothers who experienced the fear of "might abuse my child"

This has remained consistently high since the 2019 survey (84%). The peak period was around age 2 (terrible twos: 17.1%), indicating a risk that extends not only into the early postpartum period but also through toddlerhood.

【7 Years】No signs of improvement (2016→2023)

Feelings of loneliness, irritation, and fear of abuse have all shown no numerical improvement since the first survey in 2016. While budgets are allocated to measures for declining birthrates, the reality for those raising children remains unchanged.

【46.7%】Reason for not using public consultation services: "It's not serious enough to consult about."

Despite experiencing severe distress, individuals underestimate their own situation by thinking "I'm okay," creating a structure that prevents them from accessing support, which has been fixed for seven years.

Why Hasn't It Changed in 7 Years? — Three Structural Problems

1 Lack of National Guidelines for Prenatal Education

The Mother and Child Health Act only states to "strive for the dissemination of knowledge." There are no national guidelines regarding the content, frequency, or quality of parent classes, leaving everything to local governments. Parents continue to face childbirth without adequate emotional regulation skills.

2 The "Threshold Problem" of Support

The self-underestimation of "not serious enough to consult" (46.7%) is the biggest barrier. Public support exists, but the structure prevents those suffering from feeling that "I am a target" for it, and this has become fixed.

3 Asymmetry in Spousal Burden

Mothers' feelings of loneliness (89.9%) are 2.5 times higher than fathers' (36.6%). 92.3% of mothers felt "I wish they would cooperate more," while 77.2% of fathers responded, "I have never felt that way." The discrepancy in perception is severe.

Six Policy Recommendations from the White Paper: National Core Curriculum Guidelines for Prenatal Parent Classes

【Current Issues】

Participation in prenatal classes is high at 78.1%. However, 30.4% "do not remember the content," and 67% of what was considered helpful content was only "practical skills for baby care." The most crucial topics—emotional regulation, postpartum hormonal changes, and division of labor between spouses—are not being adequately conveyed.

The primary reason for hitting or yelling at children was "became emotional" (36.1%), with discipline accounting for only 7%. Violence is not discipline but an outburst of pent-up emotions. This issue has been repeatedly pointed out for five years since the 2019 survey.

【Specific National Actions Requested】

1 Standardization of Content

The Children and Families Agency should develop core curriculum guidelines defining the "minimum content to be included" in parent classes.

2 Specification of Three Essential Items

・Realistic information on postpartum hormonal changes and mental states.

・Emotional regulation skills (e.g., anger management, time-out method).

・Division of spousal roles and postpartum communication.

3 Setting Frequency Standards

Currently, there are no national standards for frequency or duration. Upon issuance of the Mother and Child Health Handbook, it should be clearly stated as a "duty to participate" for couples to attend "at least twice (once in mid-pregnancy and once in late pregnancy).".

4 Ensuring Quality of Instructors

Instructors for parent classes should be required to undergo standardized training, including listening and empathy skills.

If correct knowledge and emotional regulation skills are conveyed prenatally, some postpartum suffering can be prevented. The data from the past seven years indicate this.

About This White Paper

Survey Period: June 16–30, 2023

Number of Valid Responses: 4,400 (4,052 women, 348 men)

Survey Target: Men and women with preschool-aged children

Survey Method: Online announcement and response

Cumulative Survey Count: 4 times (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023)

Cumulative Respondents: 6,394

White Paper available here:

d46558-6-5725179af0358079b8497036d02ce8d8.pdf

About the Association for Infant and Toddler Child-Rearing Support

Established: 2013 (Voluntary Organization) / Incorporated 2015

Mission: To prevent postpartum depression and create a society where parents can raise children with peace of mind.

Main Activities: Training of Infant and Toddler Child-Rearing Instructors (370 nationwide) / Child-rearing lectures and events (over 10,800 pairs annually) / Conducting child-rearing reality surveys and policy recommendations.

Policy Recommendation Achievements: City council questions and proposals based on survey results in Itoshima City Council, policy recommendations to Hamamatsu City Councilors (achieved improvement in the childcare system for second and subsequent children).

Inquiries and Interview Requests

Association for Infant and Toddler Child-Rearing Support

Representative Director: Mitsuko Yukimoto

Address: Nihonbashi CET Bldg. 2F, 2-28-4 Higashi-Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0004

Phone: 03-6271-0151

Email: info@kodomokosodate.com

WEB: https://www.kodomokosodate.com