昨日は１日中、孫の世話に集中していました。
　まぁ１日12,000歩の散歩が習慣化している体力で乗り切れましたが、寝ている間は疲労感を感じていた。あちこちへ移動させるのに頻繁に抱っこヒモを装着して、体重ももうすぐ10kgくらいじゃないかという元気いっぱいの孫。無上に楽しい時間を過ごしておりました（笑）。写真はわが家の居間。孫のハイハイ運動のためにあれこれ変化している。
　しかし若い時期の子育てとは、さすがに違いが出てくる。
　小さいけれど自我を持った人間としてその気持ちに添って、対話型でずっと過ごす時間。やはり肉体的には、孫の体重増加・成長とともに負担感は増大する。最後、息子が来てくれてホッとしておりましたが、その若い息子でも孫の体重増加ぶりに驚いていた。「重すぎ（笑）」と。子育てはなかなかに重労働であることに今更ながら気付かされる。
　一方でその愛らしさがすべてを忘れさせてもくれる。イキモノとしての人間の存立基盤。
　わたしの年代の人間は幼年期が人口増大期でもあり、親や祖母はたくさんの兄弟を産み育ててくれた。わが家は６人兄姉。子守りの中核だった祖母は、２人の子どもをいっしょにオンブして育ててくれたのだという。すごい体力だったんだなぁと思わされる。
　現代は少子化が進展し、また「核家族化」が常態化してきてもいる。子育ても世に連れて大きく変容していくものなのでしょう。
　わたしは住宅雑誌というビジネスをしてきたけれど、この過程でも日本人の「家」意識の変容ぶりはつぶさに目にしてきた。現代はその進展がさらに顕著になってきている。人口減少の趨勢は「反転」しそうにはない。一方で核家族・個人主義の根付いた社会では、子育ての役務は親世代に集中せざるを得ないけれど、社会構造としては労働力の減少から夫婦とも職を持つことが一般化する。
　こういう社会趨勢の中、子育て負担の分散は必須でもあるでしょう。以前の多世代型の「家制度」の良き面が想起されてくる。核家族では子育ての環境としては難しい側面がある。
　他方で高齢者の寿命は伸びてきて、しかも健康を十分に維持したまま高齢期を迎えている。一定の子育て生存スキルも持っている。
　核家族社会から、もう一歩先の家・家族制度に進化させる必要があるのではないだろうか？

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
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https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Raising Children in a Society with a Declining Population and the Future of the “Household” System]
A nuclear family system that places the burden of child-rearing solely on dual-income households will not lead to population stabilization. Isn’t the active involvement of older adults becoming essential? …

　Yesterday, I spent the entire day focused on taking care of my grandchild.
Well, I managed to get through it thanks to my stamina—I’ve made it a habit to walk 12,000 steps a day—but I did feel tired while sleeping. I frequently had to put on the baby carrier to move him around; he’s full of energy and probably weighs close to 10 kg by now. I had an absolutely wonderful time (laughs). The photo shows our living room. We’ve been rearranging things here and there to accommodate my grandchild’s crawling.
　But there’s definitely a difference compared to raising children when I was younger.
　Spending time in a conversational way, attuned to his feelings as a small but independent human being. Physically, of course, the burden increases as my grandchild gains weight and grows. I was relieved when my son finally came over, but even he was surprised by how much my grandchild had gained. “He’s way too heavy (lol),” he said. It’s only now that I’m truly realizing just how physically demanding raising children really is.
　On the other hand, their cuteness makes me forget all about it. It’s the very foundation of human existence as living beings.
　People of my generation grew up during a period of rapid population growth, and our parents and grandmothers gave birth to and raised many siblings. In my family, there were six older siblings. My grandmother, who was the backbone of childcare, apparently used to carry two children on her back at the same time. It really makes me realize what incredible stamina she must have had.
　Today, the birthrate continues to decline, and the “nuclear family” has become the norm. I suppose child-rearing is something that changes significantly with the times.
　I’ve worked in the home magazine business, and throughout that time, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformation in Japanese people’s perception of “home.” This trend has become even more pronounced in recent years. The trend of population decline shows no signs of “reversing.” On the one hand, in a society where nuclear families and individualism are deeply rooted, the responsibility for child-rearing inevitably falls on the parents’ generation; yet, due to the shrinking labor force, it has become commonplace for both spouses to hold jobs.
Amid these social trends, spreading the burden of child-rearing is essential. This brings to mind the positive aspects of the traditional multigenerational “family system.” Nuclear families present certain challenges when it comes to the environment for raising children.
　On the other hand, life expectancy among the elderly is increasing, and they are entering old age while maintaining good health. They also possess certain practical skills for raising children.
　Isn’t it necessary to evolve from a nuclear family society to a more advanced form of household and family structure?

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.
　

Posted on 9月 29th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類