Hikikomori is an extremely interesting yet severe problem facing
some adolescents in Japanese society. Hikikomori, translated in English means “pulling
inward” or “being confined”. In other words, there is acute to extreme social
withdrawal from society or social life for longer than six months, and in some
cases, may last for many years. Individuals who suffer from this mental illness do not
participate in education or employment and have little to no relationships
outside of the home. While many may picture Hikikomori as an individual who
never leaves their room, there are various ways in which a person will express
the illness. Some will leave their house for extended periods of time, for
example in the morning, to walk around their neighborhood to make it seem to
others as though they are going to school or to work but will then retreat back
to their rooms. In this case, they have the disease but do not want to suffer
any social repercussions for their illness.
Although there are many possible causes of this particular
disorder, there are some Japanese cultural explanations for the psychological issue.
The New York Times stated, “only in the last decade and only in Japan has Hikikomori become a
social phenomenon. Like anorexia, which has been largely limited to Western
cultures, Hikikomori is a culturebound syndrome that thrives in one particular
country during a particular moment in its history.” In other words, this
disease seems extremely unique to Japan. Just like there are pressures in
American society that spark anorexia, there are also pressures in Japanese
society which spark this particular disorder. One of the main causes
researchers and psychologists tend to believe provoke this disorder include the
academic pressure imposed on young adults through the education system. Failure
to succeed, failure to keep up academically with classmates, and concerns about
future careers are especially stressed in Japanese society. The education
system is taken extremely seriously and the programs are exceptionally
rigorous. Many students, as early as 12 years old, must begin preparing for
entrance exams into higher levels of education. In order to prepare for these
kinds of exams, supplementary education is provided often significantly
exceeding normal school hours. Thus, a potential reason to develop Hikikomori
would be trying to meet overwhelming academic standards and goals.
Also, this concept of conformity becomes an issue regarding
academia. If a student feels as though they are not doing as well academically
as their peers, they feel as though they cannot conform to the educational
values and standards of Japanese society, and may feel ostracized thus acting
on those feelings and physically and literally ostracizing themselves from
society entirely. From a very young age, Japanese children are not taught the
concept of individuality the same way that western children are taught. In
America, children are taught to express their own ideas, to stick out amongst
the group, and speak up for themselves. Almost the opposite is true for
Japanese culture. Children are taught that the group is more important than the
individual and if the individual is to attempt to stick out, or bring unwanted
attention to themselves as an individual, amongst other members of the group,
it is considered deviant behavior. It seems as though individuality has
negative connotations. Thus, “as
students progress through the education system, such lessons in conformity are
reinforced. The goal for each student is to master an established standard
rather than applying his or her own interpretation of that standard or infusing
creativity.” Therefore, the students who do not or cannot conform to the
academic standards may feel differently both on a personal and academic level.
This in turn may cause experiences of negative emotional responses amongst
young adults regarding this sense of inability to conform. If conformity is
such an essential aspect of Japanese society, anyone who feels “different” on
any level, not just academically, seems as though they may suffer from this
disease.
There
are many other cases in which members of Japanese society may suffer from this
illness. This particular discussion of Hikikomori only touched upon young
adults, but it also affects older people as well. The same cultural
characteristics of Japanese society carries into the world of employment where
adults will feel similar pressures in different ways.
I
found this particular subject to be extremely interesting because I am a sociology
major and we often study the concept of cultural relativism. It is amazing that
one culture due to its values, traditions and norms, can create unique
psychological disorders. In America, through our standards and values, we have
created serious societal and psychological issues such as eating disorders.
While on the other hand, in Japan eating disorders are most likely less prevalent.
However, in the United States, Hikikomori is not an issue of concern.
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/04/my_view_japanese_conformity_he.html
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