This study aims to elucidate the effects that staying home due to COVID-19 has had on households with primary school-age children living in the central area. To determine the differences in states of mind between people in the central area and people in other areas, we investigated the changes in their “daily lives” including matters related to school; playing outside; associating with other children; “communication” including communication with family and friends; and the “use of information technologies” that secure communication. Moreover, we explored households that are satisfied even when they are unable to go out and clarified how children and their parents who live in the central area perceive the current situation. The study results indicate that the risks of COVID-19 in large cities have spatial characteristics and increase the burden on households raising children. Particularly in the central area, which has a high population density, the changes children experience are striking. Furthermore, due to the inadequate amount of open space, a strong awareness of the “new normal (avoiding the ‘Three Cs’ (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings)” is required.

本研究旨在阐明因 COVID-19 而留在家中对居住在中部地区的有小学适龄儿童的家庭的影响。为了确定中部地区人们与其他地区人们的心理状态差异，我们调查了他们“日常生活”的变化，包括与学校有关的事情；在外头玩儿; 与其他孩子交往；“沟通”包括与家人和朋友的沟通；以及确保通信安全的“信息技术的使用”。此外，我们还调查了即使无法出门也很满意的家庭，并阐明了居住在中心地区的儿童及其父母如何看待当前情况。研究结果表明，大城市的 COVID-19 风险具有空间特征，增加了家庭抚养孩子的负担。特别是在人口密度高的中心地区，孩子们所经历的变化是惊人的。此外，由于开放空间不足，需要对“新常态（避免‘三C’（密闭空间、拥挤场所、近距离接触））”有强烈的认识。