Novel Submission

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," writes the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:20-21 New Living Translation Bible. These are verses that are violated in so many ways globally with men and women missing opportunities to help each other.

The New York Times February 27, 2013, article "Desperate Hunt for Day Care in Japan As More Women Work, a Shortage Poses a Threat to Economic Growth," implies that fathers and mothers are not equally participating in the rewards and responsibilities of parenthood, which is a global reality.

The article features the plight of Ayaka Okumura in trying to secure day care for her daughter, Ayane. Ayaka, a manager at an accounting firm, does all the hunting for day care, expresses fret that she did not time her pregnancy to put her name toward the top of day-care waiting lists and even wonders if she should have cut short her legally-guaranteed-one-year-maternity leave to better position herself on the day-care waiting lists, which for Japanese-government-subizied-day-care centers is more than 25,000 long and many private day care centers also have long waiting lists.

No where in the article does it talk about a one-year-legally-guaranteed-paternity leave for Ayane's father and Ayaka's husband, Masanori. A one-size-fits all, unequal, imbalanced approach to childcare puts a strain on marriage and parenting in Japan, America and other places. In America one-year of paid leave is not legally guaranteed. "Vive la difference!" is a French saying meaning, "Long live the difference (between the sexes)." Ayane and others like her are not receiving balanced input from their fathers and mothers denying these children the learning of the difference in the sexes and the enjoyment of a close relationship with both their fathers and mothers.  Relationships require both quality and quantity time.

If two or more instead of one were working on child care, maybe Ayane could enjoy two years or more of being cared for by her parents instead of a day care center, and Ayaka, who says in the article, "I'm filled with so much worry, and completely spent," could rest more releasing inspiration for both her marriage with Masanori and her parenting of Ayane. Well-rested wives are more interested in sex than tired wives.  Wouldn't it be nice for husbands and wives to sit face-to-face, hugging each other while engaging in deep vaginal penetration, kissing and eye contact on a frequent basis without fatigue?

What about a men's and women's movement pushing for one-year or more paid paternity leave? Some social rules need to be challenged by creative, courageous, compassionate people. A Hausa of West Africa riddle asks, "Why is a man like pepper?" Answer: "Until you have tested him, you can't tell how strong he is."

Long-term paid leave is good for singles, married people, everyone! Read my articles, "Paid Leave Please" and "Paid Leave is Good for Us."

Also two years or more of paid leave (one year or more for dad and one year or more for mom) is time to work on the heads and hearts of other family members to help with child care. Maybe Ayane and others like her would never have to go to day care before going to school?

The New York Times article says, "Almost 70 percent of Japan's social welfare spending is directed at people 65 or older, while less than 4 percent supports children and families, according to a government-affiliated research group." Elderly family can use some of their free time to help raise younger family. This is an investment that can pay dividends for eternity. International Christian ministers Dennis and Barbara Rainey say, "God designed the family to be a spiritual garden that grows flowers for today and seeds for tomorrow."

Besides day care and paid maternity leave, what are some novel ways to support marriages and raise children?