I think support networks for children have been weakening. Now, we cannot expect the same thing from families that we used to expect. We can’t expect parents or grandparents to provide the support they used to. And in this situation, children remain alone.

Children and students here are being raised by their smart phones, and it ain’t pretty!

It's not smart phones that are the problem, Ricky, it's the governments cut of family tax benefits in favor of corporations, for one thing. Parent's CAN'T spend more time with kids because they have to work, and they can't HAVE more kids because it's far too expensive. Meanwhile, old men in the government say it is the people's responsibility to have more, affordable or not, and the economy is their fault if they don't. Now we have Abe and others demanding that we sacrifice more and spend, but then take care of each other in family situations that are unfeasible. Can't afford overcrowded daycare centers, can't afford university, you name it. Yes, the family system has changed, because poverty levels are on the rise. And half of these guys that demand a return to nuclear families or having wives stay home and/or grandparents in and what not to give proper have children they have not seen grow up because of divorce and one half getting full custody.

I think support networks for children have been weakening. Now, we cannot expect the same thing from families that we used to expect. We can’t expect parents or grandparents to provide the support they used to.

Hells yeah to that

And in this situation, children remain alone.

I would imagine this is on the increase, but is it a major factor behind "In 2017, 250 children in elementary, junior and high schools committed suicide, the highest number since 1986"? Suicide is caused by many factors. Depression is way more complicated than simplistic logic where lonely=depressed and suicidal. Some depressed people are outwardly very successful.

The first part of the quote is very true though. We live in inaka and the basic assumption here is that every family has a housewife, either the mother or the grandmother. So the mother can be called upon at anytime by the school or neighbourhood or kids' activities without children or siblings being abandoned, dinner being uncooked, etc. etc. With nuclear families and more and more single parents, and dare I say it, some mothers actually working in proper jobs, people should not expect the same thing from families that we used to expect.

The downside risks of "Womenonics" are not being fully explored.