Affects the “face-to-face interaction” of parents and children living apart
It was found that the effect of the spread of infection also extends to "interview exchanges" that connect parents and children who live separately due to divorce. According to a survey conducted by a group of parties concerned, more than 70% of them could not visit or decreased at all, experts said, “It is very important for children to interact with their parents, We should have face-to-face exchanges. "
In a group made up of parents who live away from their children in divorce or separate living, we conducted a questionnaire survey for a week until the 20th of this month to see if the spread of the new coronavirus infection had an effect on visit exchanges.
According to this, 107 out of 160 respondents had an interview exchange until February before the infection spread, but 44 of them answered that they could not do it at all. % 32% of the respondents said that the frequency and time they met were reduced.
Eighty-one percent of these people are also unable to meet in alternative ways, such as online video calls.
In addition, when asked if there is a concern that disconnection with children will progress if going out of school continues, 85% of the respondents answered that they are “strongly concerned” or “somewhat concerned”. .
A father who lives apart from his daughter "Show me how the country can meet"
A man in his 40s living in Chiba prefecture divorced his wife last year, and has continued to meet with his young daughter four times a month, but he was met by his ex-wife because of the spread of the new coronavirus. It is said that there is no contact, and it is a situation that we are not currently able to meet and interact.
The man said, "The ex-wife said," I'm not going to meet you because Corona is in danger and I'm in danger, "and I've lost contact with the person. I filed a mediation for the person, but the court is not urgent. It has been postponed and postponed, and it is not possible to discuss it. "
He said, "My child just remembered who his father was. I feel really sorry that I can't keep up with my child's growth, and I want to see my child. I think it would be very helpful if you showed me as. "
Expert "Online visit exchange"
Professor Masayuki Tanamura of Waseda University, who specializes in family law and is familiar with issues such as face-to-face exchanges and child support, said, `` I can understand that parents who are far away can be worried about not being able to see their children, including their health condition. On the other hand, even parents living together feel stressed and anxious about the health of their children, their health, and the various effects of leave, and it is important to have face-to-face exchanges, but if that is not the case, they are being mentally cornered. Isn't it? "
In addition, “In the United States and other countries, online interview exchanges have been conducted for about 20 years, and Japan is far behind. Since it is very important to have face-to-face exchanges, even if you cannot meet face-to-face, you can communicate online. Better, "he points out.
“In the UK, it is very important to have face-to-face exchanges, and it is clearly said that this is an exception to the restrictions on going out. In addition, in foreign countries, one-stop counseling desks are available for issues such as online exchanges and child support. It seems that there are careful consideration given to the spread of new coronavirus infection. While we do not know how long the spread of infection will continue, the Japanese courts and bar associations are required to do the same. "