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I. The Value for Wellness
In western society herbivore men are considered
as the breed of males called metrosexuals.
Most scholars cannot help but notice the close similarities between herbivore
men and metrosexuals especially in terms of hygiene and fashion. Both
show signs of being too concern about their physical features and appearance
since they are really sensitive as to how people perceive them attractive or
not.
A study by Ms. Linda Tuncay entitled “Conceptualization of Masculinity among New Breed of MaleConsumers” made a clear
description of metrosexuals. According to Ms. Tuncay The term metrosexual was first coined by
theorist Mark Simpson in his 1994 book Male Impersonators Men Performing
Masculinity. This type of new man emphasizes appearance fashion and
material goods. These men
often described being in good shape having style and being well groomed as
all-important characteristics of masculinity.
Following this concrete definition of
metrosexuals we can clearly see that herbivore men share parallel traits with
them.
I have come across Ms. Christina Akiko Tamaru’s
research entitled “The Herbivorous Men ofJapan: Negotiating New Masculinities”. Ms. Tamaru stated that The sôshokukei danshi are relatively young members of society who have adopted these beauty practices simultaneously as a marker of their
subscription to youth culture and also as an element of performed deviance from
conventional masculinity. Beauty
products and beauty salons which specialize in areas such as hair removal
weight loss and skin care became an avenue for young men to employ these
practices as part of their masculinity.
But no matter how closely similar metrosexuals
and herbivore men are there are still many things setting them apart.
Going back to Ms. Tuncay’s study she stated that For metrosexuals the importance of an attractive appearance was tied in
part to attracting the opposite sex and assisting in the attainment of success
in the workplace. Now if we look back at my previous blogposts we
know that herbivore men are not interested in committing to
relationships. And on top of that these herbivores are also not
interested to successfully climb the corporate ladder since most of them are
freelance workers.
I think that Japanese male engagement with these
forms of beauty work and enhancement in personal wellness not only challenges
conventional gender constructions but also signifies evolution and change in
Japan’s society. We may also look at these practices as an attempt to express
oneself in a conservative confined culture.
II. Change in Career Outlook
In Japan the term salaryman is most commonly used to refer to
masculinity. One can even say that this word is a strong definition of
men’s manliness. But with the emergence of herbivore men even this term
had undergone certain changes in meaning.
In a recent study by Mr. Romit Dasgupta
entitled “Performing Masculinities" The Salaryman at Work and Play he made a vivid account of Japanese salarymen. According
to Mr. Dasgupta The salaryman
symbolizes that everyman the kigyo senshi or corporate warrior without whom the
postWorld War II economic miracle would not have been possible and who was both
the beneficiary and the victim of its fallouts. Although the term salaryman and
all that the term connotes gained widespread currency over the half century
since the end of the war in actual fact the salaryman as a distinct model of
masculinity emerged or rather was
created in the context of Japan’s
process of nation building and industrialization.
This description of Mr. Dasgupta made it clear
that the role of salarymen is very critical not only in Japan’s economy but
also in the overall nation building process. Even though women also
played a role in reviving Japan’s economy by being part of the labor force it
is the males who are considered and seen as representing and important in this
aspect.
Now how did the emergence of herbivore men
change this perspective?
I encountered Ms. Aulia Dwi Nastiti’s paper
entitled “Redefining the Concept ofCounter Culture: Study Case of Soushokukei Danshii”. According to her Result of some studies revealed that herbivore men are trying to refuse
the conservative views in some aspects. Soshokukei danshii show their
dislike toward the salary-man routines with overtime works and hierarchical
occupation as fundamentally unsatisfying as simply a doorway to a monotonous
life of small rewards so they prefer part-time jobs while pursuing their
passions.
An article by Mr. Justin McCurry entitled “Japan's Grass Eaters turn their backs on Macho Ways” supported this claim. He stated that The rise of the herbivorous man has met with
mixed reactions. Traditionalist employers complain that they lack the work
ethic of older generations while commentators blame their sexual abstinence and
relative thrift for the low birthrate and the weak economy.
III. Perspective
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For me there is really nothing
wrong with how herbivore men live their lives. I mean coming from a liberal
point of view where individuality is encourage change in lifestyle may not be a
bad idea. True that there will always be a negative perceived effects when
someone does not conform to social norms. However I will always stand my ground
that what is more important is how we treat and respect other people. Because
at the end of the day he will not judge us by how we look rather by how big our
hearts are.
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