Japan to Allow Joint Child Custody for Divorced Parents
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
parliament
Noun
ˈpɑːrləmənt
a group of people who are elected to make laws in some countries
Parliament remains divided on how best to approach the cost of living crisis.
custody
Noun
ˈkəstədiː
legal responsibility for the care and raising of a child or children
After the divorce, Sophie was granted custody of the children.
psychologically
Adverb
ˌsaɪkəˈlɑːdʒɪkli
in a way that relates to the mind or a person's mental state
It took her years to recover psychologically from the trauma of the accident.
abuse
Noun
əˈbjuːs
cruel or violent treatment
The support group offers a safe space for survivors of abuse to share their stories.
domestic violence
Noun
dəʊˈmestɪk ˈvaɪələns
violent or abusive behaviour involving people who live together
Victims of domestic violence often struggle with long-term emotional and psychological trauma.
intention
Noun
ɪnˈtɛnʃən
a thing someone or something aims or plans to do
My dad seems to think that everything the government does is motivated by sinister intentions.
Article
Japan to Allow Joint Child Custody for Divorced Parents
The lower house of Japan's parliament has passed a new law that will, for the first time, allow the country's divorced parents to share custody of their children.
Until now, under Japanese law, only one parent could take custody of a child after a divorce. But the new law will allow parents to decide between them if they want to share custody.
If parents cannot agree on custody, a family court will decide on either joint custody, or sole custody for one parent — based on what is thought to be best for the child.
Critics of the sole custody system say it prevents some parents from continuing to have a relationship with their children. They also say it can mean some children don't get enough financial support, and that it may damage children psychologically.
Some foreign parents have also been prevented from seeing their children when their partners took their children back to Japan and refused them any contact.
The new law will allow both parents to take part in raising their children, and by recognizing joint custody, Japan will join the many other countries that already do so.
Some people worried that the new law would not protect children when child abuse is a reason for divorce, or that women who have experienced domestic violence might have to continue meeting their abusers.
Because of this, the new law says a family court can give sole custody when there is a danger of violence or abuse.
And to protect one parent from being forced to agree to joint custody, the law says the "true intention" of each parent must be confirmed.
Passed by the lower house of Japan's parliament on April 16, the new law is expected to be passed by the upper house before the end of June.
The new law would then take effect by 2026. Parents divorced before the law takes effect will also be able to choose joint custody.
Discussion
Have a discussion based on the following questions.
Teacher's note
Use your student's responses as the basis for a conversation and ask follow-up questions.
1.
What are your thoughts on Japan allowing joint custody?
2.
How common is divorce in your country? Why do you think that is?
3.
How have attitudes around divorce changed in your country in recent decades?
4.
Do you know any couples who divorced after being married for a long time?
5.
Do you know any long-term couples who don't plan on ever getting married?