|
Morshe Finbaum, a westerner who lives in Thailand, tells
MYNIPPON, “I believe that the reason so many Asian women are dating western
men is because of their desire to appear cool and of course they are attracted
to western men. I know many Asian
men too who talk about how women with white skin are more desirable. A lot of the best-known stars here in Thailand are half-Thai
and half-western. Thus, having a western boyfriend/girlfriend is one way
of showing that people are moving up in the social ladder.”
All over Asia, women are rapidly adopting western fashion
standards even though these may not necessarily suit their bodies or looks.
For instance, there is a big controversy surrounding dyed hair in
Asia.
Some women have gone to great lengths to look like blondes. Others
are trying plastic
surgery for Asians specifically.
There are two schools of thoughts on this.
The traditionalists think that blonde hair or mini-skirts or
boots do not
go well with Asian bodies while the fashion-conscious, young people ask why they
can not dress the way they want.
Victoria Bloyer agrees.
She comments specifically about Japan, “I don't think there's anything wrong with the
west-meets-east fashion fusion. I
don't believe it is an abandonment of the Japanese
culture.
It is just self-expression! It
is the same in the USA, too. People change their hair color all the time. I know
Caucasian girls who bleach their hair. It is not because they're ashamed of who
they are, it is because they would rather be blonde.
I don't understand why no one makes a big deal (besides
parents) when an American kid goes off and dyes her hair turquoise, yet people
are so deeply bothered when a Japanese girl decides she'd look better as a
blonde. Fashion evolves, and more often devolves, and there is rarely any
good reason. If platform shoes and blonde
hair are popular in Japan, that is the trend for now. If Japanese girls like it
that way, it is no one’s business to criticize it. Nobody complains about
what's popular in the USA, and we've got worse trends here.”
Is Asia undergoing a transition? Is the world really becoming a global village?
Is technology and communication allowing people to learn from the other
end of the world? Does it mean the whole world will dress the same way in 50
years (aren’t jeans universal already?)?
Are conservatives right in being concerned about the erosion of culture?
Should not the young Asians have the freedom to indulge themselves today
when they have been suppressed for generations?
Will fashion or music alone be sufficient to destroy Asian values?
Recommended links: Women who want to date Asians
Japanese fashion
in Asia Japanese
influence on New Zealand Japanese
culture in Germany Westernization
of Japan |
