Hey visitors,
The main topic for this week is regarding age gaps and I've read a few here and there, some small, some large, older, younger, etc. Over the years I've come to terms about the double standard as well as how the modern age culture has come to terms with regards to age gaps (does this mouth of words makes any sense?) Basically, double standard and cultural tolerance towards age gaps is what I'm saying/addressinghere.
First of all, cultures today are disapproving of age gap relationships hence the whole minors protection against pedophilia, statutory rape, and child porn. However overtime, if people notice age gaps are more tolerable, mainly after you are out of compulsory schooling aka at least age 18 I guess. Why that is is kind of strange but when I think about it, what I think is that it's because people think that a minor doesn't understand love so much hence all those child love terms like "puppy love" and "crushes". However love is also a more modern concept since for quite a long time, people have married out of duty and sake of living (procreation, separation of labor, raising one's social position, power, etc). Side note: I'd like to point out one example of how love might have been a more modern concept; from Bokura no Kiseki (spoilers for people who haven't read it)-Manami said that as Veronica, even though people thought she and Glen were an item, he says they weren't because in those days, there was actually definition of what love was. Hence something so complicated and abstract that is also quite irrational at times, I think things like true love is a more modern concept.
Ok so I've kind of trailed off in another direction so back on track...What I'm getting at is that culture today has changed. What society defines as child has also changed of course since back then it was more acceptable worldwide to have marriages between youth and between a youth and an elder. But really, that's why when reading mangas that take place in the past (historical fiction or stories along the lines of fictional with more factual), if there are age gaps such as in Otoyomegatari, readers should realize that they're stepping into another culture that is different from the one they are raised in at the present. Age gaps were more socially acceptable back then especially since the concept of love and marriage weren't ideas that were put together until more present means. The purpose of marriage was more for purposes of social/status mobility, economic stability, political, etc (love wasn't usually first in line is what I'm saying). Anyways, for age gaps in historical context, not weird. Don't judge harshly on cultures by comparing it to your own. You can ask why but don't force it since you should know that the world of today isn't the world of yesterday as well as what is one culture's norm even in the present isn't another culture's norm.
Next I'd like to note one double standard of age gaps which is the seemingly progression of age correlating with more tolerance towards age gaps. (I noted it above but I didn't expand on it since I got more into cultural aspects.) This is a more modern thing that goes on since age gaps in the past weren't such a huge issue and as I noted above, it could very well be the way people today view youth. Another reasoning would be the the accumulated intellect and life experience we have after adolescent that somehow qualifies people to have age gap relationships? The way I've put it sounds ridiculous but people do say "what do you know? you're still a child". As noted before, another example is terms like "puppy love" which label a person for ignorance who is usually a child but over time no one uses such a term especially when one is an adult deemed ready to commit to a relationship to life's end. Of course maturity is necessary to maintain a relationship so it makes sense.
Although life experience is good, the appearance of a child seems to be important as well.This is another double standard I've realized. I've noticed that in age gap relationships in mangas, those who appear child and adult are heavily questioned and criticized whereas if the child appears adult, there is less criticism. One clear example would be the popular yet controversial to today's societal principles, Kore wa Koi no Hanashi Of course if you appear adult and are mature in mentality for what is to say, a typical child, then readers probably won't criticize. But then you can go the other way where you have the appearance of an actual older gentleman or gentlewoman (I haven't seen older woman often in mangas of any genre) i.e. you actually look past your 40s or 50s. What I'm getting at is that appearance is extremely key in mangas for age gaps-at least that's what I've gathered after reading different age gap mangas. Frankly it is really annoying when the story is amazing despite the age gap. Though I suppose everyone wants to share their opinions whether they are uncomfortable or simply enjoying the situation at hand. To summarize this point, if a character appear child-like and in fact is a child, then s/he will receive much more criticism for a relationship with an obviously older person (or vice versa older pursues younger); if a character appears mature/adult-like and is a child in age (mental maturity doesn't really play into it as much from what I remember) s/he will receive less criticism for pursuing a relationship with an older person (or vice versa older pursues younger). I'm not that surprised since as humans, we've come to rely on our vision to determine survival as well as what appeals to us but yeah...the look of a couple, if socially approved of will be more socially accepted.
Well that's all I can think of right now. I've actually thought about this topic quite a lot since some of my interested mangas have been and currently are about age gaps; especially when people are arguing in the forums about being for or against the age gap relationship. In reality, I'm not sure how I feel about it. In mangas I've always been pretty open minded about age gaps-love for all, you know? That is as long as you are the couple I'm rooting for =d But realistically, I kind of understand the challenge of social norms today about age gaps.
I hope you've enjoyed reading. I'm glad I've finally written about this topic. I might add on later on but that's all for today =)
Until next,
tohukyo
P.S. Although I don't mind age gap relationships, it doesn't change the fact that I really don't favor teacher-student mangas. The way it's written usually just really gets to me. There's only been one (completed) that I've actually liked because of it's somewhat open ended and quite a confusing ending that a lot of people didn't like nor understand, "Beautiful Fascination is Better Than Love."
(Last updated 10-28-2013)
No comments:
Post a Comment