Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#1

Post by vikasr111 » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 4:59 PM UTC

Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds
independent.co.uk

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#2

Post by PaulHoule » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:05 PM UTC

So that's why every chick in a Japanese porno flick is a virgin.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#3

Post by zxcvvcxz » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:13 PM UTC

Low birthrates, low marriage rates, sure that's a problem for a nation.

But I don't think virginity need be a problem. If one wants to wait until they meet their right partner why not? Data shows this leads to stronger bonds (though the causation is unknown and may be something like religion).

It's not like more premarital sex even correlates to higher birth rates. If fact for first world countries the correlation has been the inverse since the introduction of the pill in the 1960s.

I suspect child rearing is one of those things that mentally many consider to be a nuisance, but once it happens and there's a kid our emotions take significant hold and it becomes all important.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#4

Post by abstractbeliefs » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:17 PM UTC

Before we get into a huge discussion about virginity, it's worth noting that the government isn't actually worried about it. They're worried about fertility rates.

Virgins sell more papers though, so lets get that clickbait going.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#5

Post by unsignedint » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:19 PM UTC

Having relationship in Japan can be tough when a lot of people are under non-permanent employment which they would get paid less and is unstable. Even if one's lucky enough to have a stable job, there is a problem of practically mandatory overtime (which, incidentally, can be unpaid.)

Though, gap between ideal and reality is certainly a one of issues out there, but financial and time issues have a lot of impact to this problem.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#6

Post by sandworm101 » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:20 PM UTC

zxcvvcxz wrote: post #3

Low birthrates, low marriage rates, sure that's a problem for a nation. But I don't think virginity need be a problem. If one wants to wait until they meet their right partner why not? Data shows this leads to stronger bonds (though the causation is unknown and may be something like religion). It's not like more premarital sex even correlates to higher birth rates. If fact for first world countries the correlation ha…

I suspect it isn't about the kids. Or even sex. I suspect it is about old people. The period of one's life during which one must take care of elderly parents and grandparents is growing. Many people of marrying age are in families with several elderly people to care for. They aren't free to move out and start their own households. If I am correct, the answer isn't more child care but more government-backed elder care.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#7

Post by peterkelly » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:22 PM UTC

Those pixelated genitals are an unfortunate physical trait, and would certainly be a turn-off for me in any potential relationship

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#8

Post by d--b » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:26 PM UTC

Is that a coincidence that this got upvoted just days after this came up? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12504271

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#9

Post by eternalban » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:27 PM UTC

I had a conversation with a Japanese American artist a couple of years ago on the general topic of the post-WWII infantilization of Japanese culture.

I believe we reached a sort of mild agreement that Japan's collective unconscious is still trying to process the shock of being on the receiving end of a nuclear attack.

Re: Japan has a worrying number of virgins, government finds

#10

Post by unsignedint » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 5:29 PM UTC

sandworm101 wrote: post #6

zxcvvcxz wrote: post #3

Low birthrates, low marriage rates, sure that's a problem for a nation. But I don't think virginity need be a problem. If one wants to wait until they meet their right partner why not? Data shows this leads to stronger bonds (though the causation is unknown and may be something like religion). It's not like more premarital sex even correlates to higher birth rates. If fact for first world countries the correlation ha…

I suspect it isn't about the kids. Or even sex. I suspect it is about old people. The period of one's life during which one must take care of elderly parents and grandparents is growing. Many people of marrying age are in families with several elderly people to care for. They aren't free to move out and start their own households. If I am correct, the answer isn't more child care but more government-backed elder care…

It's probably the problem going forward than it is now. Although marrage age is increasingly older than ever, I don't think it is already to the point where large portion of people of marrying age are affected, let alone prevented to move out. Though, they are getting there, but there are a lot of direct financial and logistical impact with direct impacts.