Introduction
When adults grow older, become seriously sick, or develop a disability, other family members must care for them. Sometimes, children have to look after their parents or younger siblings. The video “Young Carers: A Silent Cry for Help” by NHK Documentary (2020) is about the challenges young carers face in Japan. This problem needs to be discussed because it impacts many people’s lives. According to Skinner (2021), “nearly 6% of second-year junior high school students are now taking care of a family member who might need extra help” (para. 3). This essay will summarize the video, discuss the issues that children have using three cases from the documentary, and explain why Japanese society generates young carers.
Video Summary
In the video, the problem in Japan is the increase in the number of young carers. This term describes a person under 18 years who takes care of their family members. They have to do most of the household chores and help others with basic needs while doing homework and caring for themselves.
It can be challenging to balance all the responsibilities, and such children mature early. This problem is becoming serious in Japan because such children rarely ask for help. Their duties affect their studies, future careers, and opportunities in life. However, they feel alone in their struggles and do not believe in help from outside.
According to NHK Documentary (2022), “among 2nd year junior high schoolers in Japan, as many as one in 17 are believed to be young carers” (00:00:45-00:00:56). As can be seen, the issue is serious and requires measures from the government and organizations. The video addresses the problem and explains why supporting young carers and their close relatives is essential.
The documentary tells the stories of several families where children had to be caregivers to their parents. For example, the lives of Kento, Kazuya, and Midori were impacted by their responsibilities as children. They had to sacrifice their time, opportunities, and dreams, which made them feel isolated.
The burden often causes adverse effects on the mental health of youth (Skinner, 2021). The examples of the people from the video demonstrate what issues young carers face in Japan, such as limited education and career opportunities, isolation, social pressure, stereotypes, and psychological problems. In addition, the documentary shows how a support group can help the affected families and improve their lives.
Problems of Young Carers
Based on the information from the video, young carers have such problems as too many responsibilities, difficulties in studies and future careers, isolation, lack of understanding from peers, stress, and psychological issues. For example, the case of Kento tells the story of a young boy who takes care of his mother, who has disabilities, and his younger brother. He finishes school late and comes home to cook, do the laundry, shop for groceries, and complete other household tasks. He has no time for his friends and hobbies, such as dancing. Besides, he has no one to discuss his struggles with or count on.
Another case is about a 43-year-old Kazuya, who spent most of his life taking care of his ill mother. After her death, he lost purpose in his life and developed an eating disorder. His problem is a lack of education or career because he could not combine them with being a caregiver. Besides, the constant stress caused Kazuya’s psychological problems and feelings of isolation.
Midori is another person whose story was discussed in the video. She is a high school student who takes care of her mother because she has mental health challenges and cannot take proper care of her family. The girl feels frustrated and overwhelmed with responsibilities. She also does not feel that her help and hard work are appreciated. As shown in the video, young carers face different problems that worsen the quality of their lives. At the same time, it is possible to help them through support groups and understanding from society.
Reasons for an Increase in Young Carers in Japan
I believe that there are several reasons why Japanese society generates young carers. For example, the country has an aging population, which means many older people require additional care (Skinner, 2021). Besides, there are many single parents, so children have to perform household duties if their parents get sick.
Another reason is Japan’s lack of government support and social welfare services (Skinner, 2021). Finally, many stereotypes stop children and families from asking for help and sharing their problems. Young people do not want to be mocked by their peers, and parents often fear their children will be taken away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the problem of young carers in Japan is serious and requires measures to help families. The video illustrates the challenges that children face as caregivers. The cases of Kento, Kazuya, and Midori show the adverse effects on young carers, such as overwhelming responsibilities, educational and career difficulties, isolation, lack of understanding, stress, societal pressure, and psychological issues. Understanding and addressing the causes of this situation in Japan is essential to help young people and their families succeed.
References
NHK Documentary. (2022). Young carers: A silent cry for help [Documentary]. NHK.
Skinner, M. (2021). More needs to be done for young carers in Japan. Zenbird. Web.