Friday, May 21, 2010
There are stereotypes of Hikikomori people among Japanese. But I think it's difficult to stereotype them.
I've seen many Hikikomori people in facilities for them. At least as far as what I've seen, there are many kinds of Hikikomori people. Every time I saw a Hikikomori man or woman first, I was surprised to find that I've never seen such kind of Hikikomori man or woman.
Before I saw Hikikomori people, I vaguely thought that maybe they have certain things in common with me, because we are the same Hikikomori people. But they don't. Although I've seen many Hikikomori people for years, they have little common with me. Their conditions are different. Each of them have different experiences before and in the process of becoming Hikikomori. Each of them have different way of thinkings. Each of them have different likes and tastes.
They have something in common to some extent. For instance, most of them are male. Many of them are quiet. People who experience school refusal are not uncommon. Some of them go to psychiatry regularly. But not all Hikikomori people have these features.
For this reason, if someone ask me, "Based on people you've seen, what kind of people do you think typical Hikikomori men or women are ?" I don't know what to answer. But if I have to say something, I'll answer, "They are quiet men, have experiences of school refusal and have some mental health problems. But there are many Hikikomori people who don't apply to the stereotype."
I've seen many Hikikomori people in facilities for them. At least as far as what I've seen, there are many kinds of Hikikomori people. Every time I saw a Hikikomori man or woman first, I was surprised to find that I've never seen such kind of Hikikomori man or woman.
Before I saw Hikikomori people, I vaguely thought that maybe they have certain things in common with me, because we are the same Hikikomori people. But they don't. Although I've seen many Hikikomori people for years, they have little common with me. Their conditions are different. Each of them have different experiences before and in the process of becoming Hikikomori. Each of them have different way of thinkings. Each of them have different likes and tastes.
They have something in common to some extent. For instance, most of them are male. Many of them are quiet. People who experience school refusal are not uncommon. Some of them go to psychiatry regularly. But not all Hikikomori people have these features.
For this reason, if someone ask me, "Based on people you've seen, what kind of people do you think typical Hikikomori men or women are ?" I don't know what to answer. But if I have to say something, I'll answer, "They are quiet men, have experiences of school refusal and have some mental health problems. But there are many Hikikomori people who don't apply to the stereotype."
