In Japan, some lessons happen far beyond textbooks. At one junior high school, around seventy students recently spent a day stepping into the shoes of new parents. The goal was simple but profound: to help young people understand what family life and raising children really mean.

The experience began with “pregnancy simulation.” Each student put on a seven-kilogram vest with a padded belly and chest designed to mimic the weight and discomfort of late pregnancy. Ordinary movements — bending to pick something up, standing from the floor, or just walking across the room — suddenly became awkward and tiring. Many students admitted they had underestimated how physically demanding pregnancy could be.

Then came the second challenge: real baby care. Divided into small groups, the teenagers were introduced to infants between two and six months old. Under the watchful eye of parents and instructors, they tried holding, rocking, and gently feeding the babies. Some struggled to soothe the little ones, surprised by how heavy they felt and how often they cried. Parents shared honest accounts of sleepless nights and round-the-clock responsibility.

For many students, the session left a deep impression. Some said they finally understood how much effort their own parents had given them. Others reflected that parenting looked far harder than imagined but also meaningful. One participant said quietly, “Raising kids is hard, but if I were in that position, I’d want to do my best.”

Educators behind programs like this say the aim is not to push students toward or away from parenthood but to build empathy and respect. By feeling the strain of pregnancy and tasting the demands of infant care, teenagers can better appreciate family life and think carefully about their future roles and responsibilities.

These exercises are part of a broader effort in Japan to combine life skills with academic education. They remind young people that some of the most valuable lessons — about gratitude, patience, and love — are learned through experience, not just from books.