Today in Seminar II class, we talked about a recent trend in modern Japanese culture. "Herbivores" or "Grass-Eating Boys" have been popping up in Japan in recent years. The term defines the decline in the expected macho masculinity in males since the bursting of Japan's economic bubble, where boys have taken on a more feminine side. These "Grass-Eating Boys" often take up an effeminate appearance as a way of going against the usual expectations of men in Japan. Often preferring shopping, cosmetics and aren't as status-driven as previous generations.
What I find rather disturbing is how these men are actually starting to revert to plastic surgery to achieve a more feminine appearance. In one video clip we were shown, one man actually got his lips altered to look more like an AKB48 singer. Some men even go to special workshops where they learn to adjust their vocal cords to sound more like a lady...
As for my overall opinion, I don't think it is wrong for guys to show a bit of a feminine side. Men who have a soft spot will often have an easier time with women. But it's a completely different ball game when they actually go about physically changing their appearance just to fit in. And another huge problem with this particular demographic is how they aren't very interested in sexual activity. This does not contribute at all to Japan's declining birth rate in the least bit.
It's definitely an interesting topic to think about with a lot to cover... Well, I have to go to bed. It's after 1:30 in the morning and I have to get up early for my trip to Nagasaki.
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Thanks! I think that plastic surgery (in most cases, not just these) is really extreme. Still, it's an interesting (although extreme) expression of what seems to be a more general tendency.
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