I'm currently writing a sort of thesis on the Hikikomori. I haven't been to Japan for quite some time now but well does anyone want to volunteer some information?
Can it be the Educational system that caused this or can it stem from just Agoraphobia...Social Phobia? I've suffered from Social Phobia myself and I quite understand what it feels like but...anyway if you people would like to volunteer some info plz reply? I'd be glad.
I wanted to do my essay on something related to Japan I guess...
あああああ
add2wwwwwwwwwwwwww
I always kind of assumed ANY society has a large amount of people with the potential to become hikikomori, but the real issue is who indulges it. The fact that half the posts here with "I'm a hikki" in them have responses of, "how do you make money for survival?" There are always people at school and work that don't participate in the social aspects. The "outcast" is a pretty well known situation in western society. Most of us /are/ that person, and would probably take the extra step if we had the choice.
I know for a fact my parents wouldn't give me money or support me if I was shutting myself away in my room. If push comes to shove they would've more than likely taken the door off my room if I pulled that while I was living with them. Same thing with university and work. It was pretty clear to me that if I wasn't doing something I wouldn't have a place to live. One of the major stereotypes of Japan is indulgent mothers. I don't know how true this is, but I'm assuming that the truth it's based on is big enough for a small part of the population to live entirely in their rooms, and unsurprisingly they take their parents up on that. The same thing happens in western culture, but since we have less parents willing to do that we have less full-time hikkis.
I'm not really saying being a hikki is a bad thing. I'm sure there are people out there that it is a disease for, and they crave that human interation but just have too many social issues to go after it, but in my case (and apparently >>17 's case, if he wasn't such a pretentious twat) asking me why I don't go out with my coworkers after work is like asking me why I don't eat at burger king. I don't really like burgers, and I don't really like hanging out with people regardless of if I'm being bullied by them or if I'm the most popular person at the table. I get bored, and if I find something I really really want to do outside I usually just do it on my own. I think in a lot of cases it's just a preference. It's not a preference a lot of people like, though, but there's no way in hell the most extreme shut-ins would exist if someone else in their life wasn't enabling it by providing food or money or something. Even if a person saves up eventually they're going to run out of money, and then they won't be able to buy food anymore, and that's where they starve.
>>70The fact that half the posts here with "I'm a hikki" in them have responses of, "how do you make money for survival?"
GUESS THE END OF THIS SENTENCE AND WIN A FREE IPOD
I personally didn't write this message, whoever it was, I would never know his/her intention. I try to be courtueos and polite but it seems he/she/they never accepts it. The reason I'm writing all of this is to share my experiences with those who maybe in the boat as I am and would be glad to read your experiences. And maybe help ourselves out of this situation. I have no problem if you don't take it serious, but I would be more than satisfied if you respect my handle and leave it by not impostering me. Whatever your reasons to imposter me, either making fun of me or you don't believe what I say so you imposter me, if thats the case, what I've written so far is true. The reason I'm using a handle and not being anonymous is that I want others to know the posts I write are mine so they could refer to me in the future so as not lose in the mountain of anonymous posts. Whoever you are, I don't know your reasons. But I hope you respect that, otherwise, I really have nothing to say, after all this is an anonymous forum without some sort of control to restrict others importering others. But if you imposter me again, I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air. In west Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days. Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool, and shootin some b-ball outside of school, when a couple of guys who were up to no good started makin' trouble in the neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mom got scared. She said, "You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air."
>>72, use a secure trip code man.
Put this in the "Name:" field:
<pseudonym>##tripcode
Example:
Name: Troll#password123
That way, the posters can differentiate if you're an impostor or not.
Slightly, I haven't taken note of this "I have no problem if you don't take it serious, but I would be more than satisfied if you respect my handle and leave it by not impostering me", anyway, it still serves as reference to those who doesn't know yet. Am just trolling as usual. :D
it carries out and is w
>>67 or 2SD
Many people don't understand the reason why most hikkis are the way they are. The only thing they know are through stereotypes perpetuated through the media, rumors and whatnot. And since hikki are described as people who don't contribute to society, as a result people don't regard them as productive members of society. And if you aren't contributing to society or doing something worthy of society expectation, then you aren't valued. Add fuel to fire, the society encourage people to make fun of them, just as otaku, because society see them as aren't productive or not contributing to the society interest. They are mocked in the form of manga, anime, magazines, etc. It isn't a thing to look up to. The common society don't value those who are into cartoons and games, and to take interest in 2D depictions of girls and women, since they are fictional and not real, common people find their fellow men/women who are into this unsettling. Common people are practical, and their culture have alot to do with their views and opinions. Plus negative connotation with anime and bishoujo, and mass media sensation of sex in this modern era, sex is used for capitalist gains, it all boils down to money, and the more money you have the more power. Productivity and efficiency are two major factors to maximise profits, hence the government, big businesses/giant corporation or their enforcement of society more or less discourage those who aren't productive or efficient. So it kinda make sense that they want society to mock hikkis and otaku, I'm not saying otaku aren't productive, otaku seems to be given this negative association by the media to those who are outcast. The reason I believe is that the government/society/businesses want people to think in the standards and rules that had been created and maintained by them, so it make sense they want you to follow their ideas, or common collective ideas. So if you are out of the group, you most likely come to your senses and individualise your own ideas and conflict the interest of society, which isn't good in their eyes.
Although this is nothing new, I hope this is a useful insight.
I don't doubt that I will succeed in school if I were to go back again. But in the circumstances I am in, I think it isn't the time yet. I need to earn more money before I can choose the option to go back. I have few decisions to make and all that been boggering me, it isn't easy to decide. If I can't go now, I can always go back later in life, even at my late 30s. I don't concern with how people look at me if I go back to school at this age. I hope I own my own house by this time since it feels shameful in society to not have something valueble in the form of assets that is worth alot and can be invested. But if I lose my job I may consider going back to school, it sort of depends. In my current state, I still haven't decided what I really want to do exactly and how to achieve it. It is easy to say I want to bring otaku culture to my area or contribute to an already established groups and clubs. But at the end if you consider carefully in your future, you may think that what you are learning now doesn't contribute to your interest, and you may think that when you make it to there, you won't be happy. Also that you may have a lot of thing you want to do, but you cannot do them all at once, if you choose to do one, then it leaves no time for you to do the other, and the other may be required to relate to your interest. This is where I'm trying to decide which is the best for me, and at the end the most satisfying in life that I find in the future even when I get old, I don't want to regret and get depressed later on in life. I want to do something that can evolve later in the future for improvements, creative, satisfying, and able to express your ideas and yourself.
My interest is changing the world and reality. Think something along the lines of Lain. But that would require you be gifted and genius. There is a limit to ones potential that one should take into account to consider what they can do. Really there is nothing I want to do but change the world and reality to my ideals. Thats the major part of the reason I'm depressed.
The only thing that remains is trying to get good job and earn money in order to attract others to accept me, which I believe is most people in the society is going for, it doesn't matter if the person likes it or not, as long as it impresses other or attract them to the person, it is all good. People want to be accepted into society, as long as they achieve that, they aren't worried about doing things they really want to do, and give up. Most people take things for granted as along as it in in accordance to common acceptance. But others say, "sometimes you just got to go with what you've got"..... this sounds depressing. no wonder people do drugs after they found this to be true or just simply fit into what comes their ways and not complain. As people discourages others by saying that you shouldn't complain and whine about your situations, and implying you should accept your fate and destiny.
pre·ten·tious (prĭ-tĕn'shəs)
adj.
Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.
Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See synonyms at showy.
Now can I go get icecream sammiches, camp counselor Anonymous?
>>80
ice cream
n.
A smooth, sweet, cold food prepared from a frozen mixture of milk products and flavorings, containing a minimum of 10 percent milk fat and eaten as a snack or dessert.
>>81
milk
n.
A whitish liquid containing proteins, fats, lactose, and various vitamins and minerals that is produced by the mammary glands of all mature female mammals after they have given birth and serves as nourishment for their young.
nour·ish·ment (nûr'ĭsh-mənt, nŭr'-)
n.
The act of nourishing.
The state of being nourished.
Something that nourishes; food.
I think it now
Time difference between Japan and USA are 9 hours.
So, I a little surprise.
たった今、そういえば日本との時差が九時間もあったなって思って、ちょっとびっくらこいた。
>surprise
sur·prise (sr-prz)
tr.v. sur·prised, sur·pris·ing, sur·pris·es
a)To cause (someone) to do or say something unintended.
b) To elicit or detect through surprise.
n.
>時差
じさ 1 【時差】
1.均時差のこと。
2.地球上の二地点間の各標準時の相互の差。経度一五度で一時間の差となる。
3.時間をずらすこと。
「―通学」「―式信号機」
Check the film at Francesco Jodice's website. Go to "works" then to "Hikikomori."
Hikikomori was filmed in Tokyo in November 2004.
http://www.francescojodice.com/
crap. dont watch it
BBC did a piece on this topic once, called "Japan: The Missing Million". It was an interesting watch and they talked with an expert on the subject, I think he had written a book or a thesis or something on the subject. It was a long time ago, so I don't remember all the details, but maybe it helps someone out (since the OP is dated from April :).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/correspondent/2336883.stm
check out this canadian hikikimori's videos.
www.youtube.com/jdrw5
a
DSM-IV already has medical terminology to describe these persons. Calling it "Hikikomori" just makes you sound like a huge weaboo.
Yes let's use numbers to denote all illnesses instead of just using the name everyone else uses.
Uh..not really. There is nothing resembling what hikikomori is in the DSM.
RITT: Idiots
This emo thread is pretty sad.
I really think parents should stop letting kids have computers in their bedrooms. That just sounds like a bad idea.
Hikikomori too me seems like people who just don't want any responsibilities in life and their parents are too blame just as much. Stop making lame excuses to stay inside and stop wasting the life God gave you, you only live once.
GROW THE F*CK UP!!!!
This emo thread is pretty sad.
I really think parents should stop letting kids have computers in their bedrooms. That just sounds like a bad idea.
Hikikomori too me seems like people who just don't want any responsibilities in life and their parents are too blame just as much. Stop making lame excuses to stay inside and stop wasting the life God gave you, you only live once.
GROW THE F*CK UP!!!!
>>100
But wat happens if their parents are ALSO SAME!(being a hikkikomori). Seriously, my mom are like this and keep depending to my father. As an older son I was depressed yet eager to go out and see the real world but due to the lack of communication skills (my parent didn't teach me much) I still stucked in my own shell like my mother..
So how??
how old are you now? I'm just curious. Are you an actual hikki or just a bit reclusive?
>>100 a reasonable metric for determining this is whether you bottle or not. If you bottle, you might be a hikikomori.
>>100 You have to stop wasting time and your years and just go out there. Of course you are obviously going to seem awkward at first, but hey -- that's how it works. There is no magic way you are going to go out there and be the most social person in the world.
And remember everyone has problems. Being a self-victim and doing nothing will result in nothing. Do something big and make your life change.
>>107
HEH!!! But...actually u are right. That's why I feel so useless to be like one and tries to not to become like this any more....
It's kinda slow start...but I just hope that I can contribute something to the world, for good!
Such a shame that kids in the west found out about the hikikomori phenomenon in Japan. Now so many of them suddenly think that their shut-in existence is really the same thingm and now it's justified in their minds as a completely valid lifestyle just because it sort of resembles something else in a completely different culture. It even gives their entitled, hand-fed existence a kind of solemn dignity. Would rather sit in your room and fap 3 times a day to anime porn, fail school and complain about your parents failure to raise you than actually TRY at anything? That's okay! You're just a misunderstood genius and that it's everyone else who needs to change, not you.
BARF!
>>109
Wrong! Hikkikomori phenomenon didn't happens only in Japan but actually spreads to the rest Asian country (including my country!).
It's all due the fact that humans began to enjoy higher living status (means that we are living far more comfortable than before). This sort of "comfortableness" began to infest humans' habits thus this kind of phenomenon emerges.
Also, I don't want to blame but some parents are sometimes are too
protective thus making us believe that it is better u just stay at home if don't want to get bullied or some other nasty things (some Asian culture prefers it).
Westerners should be proud for not having this phenomenon in critical status yet but ya know...the persuasive power of media is powerful...
>>108 Nobody ever suggested that was the case with hikikomori either though. In the case of hikikomori, the person is still a shut-in loser, not a genius.
>>110
A person who failed to make his body moved is NOT genius at all =.=.
and this will degrade my health and stamina as well....
I really want to go out now....
(this poster just having a sport day and having a marathon until he finds out he is extremely not fit at all!)
>>78
Hi Otaku hikki!. I don´t think you should worry about your age to re-start school or university. There are many people who stop studying for different reasons and then they come back and feel great. I knew a woman that finished high-school being about 70 (she has been a housewife all the previous time) and now she goes to university!. She´s definitely an example of courage and self-conviction.
You could also find a group of people with the same problems that you have (probably not at university but in other place). Or at least find some internet community...that´ll help a lot to share your feelings and to know you aren´t the only one suffering from that.
Best wishes for you!. Regards from Argentina :)
AUGH WE DEFINITELY NEED A HIDE BUTTON SO I DON'T HAVE TO WANT TO GOUGE MY EYES OUT EVERYTIME I SCROLL THE PAGE BECAUSE I SEE "HIKKIKOMORI" OR WORSE "HIKKI" ALL OVER THE PLACE GODFUCKINGDAMNIT
Please excuse this interruption of your programs, and resume thread activity. Or better, don't.
ahhh!!
The world wasn't made for you y'know. It would be easier if you did gouge your eyes out or perhaps just ignore it?
I stayed in my room for about two years.
I'd never been very socialy confident, and after a bunch of traumatic stuff happened i became very mistrustful of people and very anxious about going places like malls, social gatherings, etc, even about phonecalls. It was always anxiety before i did something, even though i would mostly be fine while i was out shopping or talking on the phone etc. But the anxiety just became worse and worse, and i felt that nobody cared about me, dealing with other human beings in any way became stressful, and i started going places less and less, and didnt' feel relaxed uneless i was in my room, away from everyone, safe from all things which could cause me stress.
It became worse as time passed; anytime i went outside became more stressful and unpleasant than it had previously been because i had been avoiding it, and because people noticed and commented like 'oh, you went outside?!' which made me feel bad about myself and highlighted my problem. So i avoided it even more.
But my peace couldn't last forever. I became progressively more and more stressed out about the amount of time i was wasting; the need to make a life for myself, start a career etc. Finaly it was more stressful to stay in my room and do nothing than to go out and start studying etc. It was hard at first to resume a normal life, nad i had to do it slowly, but i managed. It's still a bit stressful sometimes to be around people, but im mostly over it.
>>117
I´m glad to know that and congrats for being brave enough to face all the situation. I´m sure you´ll find people that are worth being with and that understand you. Being different from what the society expects is hard but necessary in my opinion. Majorities aren´t always right (most of the times they aren´t,lol). Greetings :)