Development and Evaluation of a Community Consumer Education Program for Parents and Children

SUZUKI; Mihoko 

R&D Department, Imex Japan Co Ltd, 22-8 Shimomidori-cho, Shinchiku, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8425, Japan  (mihoyuki2014@gmail.com) 

Although the Consumer Education Promotion Act in Japan stipulates that "Education deepens the understanding of participation in planning for consumers forming a society," the goals for consumers – especially for elementary school children and their parents – have not been well established. A "community consumer education program" was developed, implemented, and evaluated according to the "image-map" framework for the consumer education system. Participant surveys using questionnaire in this study revealed that the program helped children to develop clear awareness of the issue of food waste at home and in society, developing a greater concern for the socially vulnerable. Adults were motivated to learn more about ethical consumption and developed improved awareness of the social consequences of consumption. Parent-child communication via this program enabled adults and children to learn from each other.