Hikikomori: Reclusive Japanese Kids

The New York Times has this article on a phenomenon affecting Japanese culture. Hikikomori kids are withdrawn from school, society, and their families. The article talks about a kid who stopped going to school at age 15 and just stayed in his room for 4 years. The worst case was a guy who stayed at home for 13 years; he surfed the Internet, watched TV, and built model cars. Psychologists think the causes are due to the high pressure of the Japanese school system, a culture that doesn't value diversity, and their parents ability to support them at home in their 20s. It's a pretty interesting article. Nuff said.

Technorati : Hikikomori