It seems that we see more and more Soushoku danshi, or herbivorous men, these days in Japan. So, what are they? Does this mean that we are having more and more vegetarian restaurants around? No. Soushoku danshi is a new term for a young man in his 20s or 30s, who is not very aggressive in romance and rather enjoys his life with friends or family.
The term first appeared in an online business column by the editor and columnist Maki Fukasawa. Fukasawa noticed that a lot of young guys these days seem to be quite friendly, gentle and understanding, which is very different from the old image of “masculine guys.” According to her analysis, men used to be classified into two groups──those who were attractive and aggressive in getting women, and those who couldn’t be aggressive because they were unattractive to women.
But what’s new about Soushoku danshi is that they are not necessarily unattractive to women. They usually have a lot of female friends and have been involved in several romantic relationships. Yet women are not their first priority, because they have many other things to enjoy without a girlfriend. They can even spend a night with a woman as a friend, not being sexually involved with her at all.
Meanwhile, another term Nikushoku joshi, or carnivorous women, has appeared to balance Soushoku danshi. Nikushoku joshi are those women who are active and aggressive in romance and sexual relationships. They don’t just wait for guys but ask guys out themselves. They are not hesitant in sexual relationships, and they can openly talk about sex with their friends. Japanese society used to be known as patriarchal, but that’s already long ago and both genders in Japan are surely being redefined.
PR
- 2009/10/08(木) 18:08:27|
- FREE|
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