Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 603842)

I`m far far too late to this discussion... But I`ll drop my opinion on certain things, as I haven`t spotted them covered in a quick skim through the countless posts in here.

In my mind, angst is more an issue than straight out suicide. It seems, in my experience, that angst is not only accepted - but almost encouraged - in the US. On the other hand, angst is hardly an issue in Japan.
In the US, teenagers are far more likely to whine and talk about being depressed wanting to commit suicide, etc... Even if they really aren`t going to. But in Japan, if someone is going to do it they do it quietly without fanfare. You don`t see kids running around moping and whining at anywhere near the level in the US. Someone who is would be considered "dark" and odd and would make people uncomfortable. This is a stark contrast to the social groups which seem to make "dark" and moping a central point in the US.

Originally Posted by Uriko (Post 603839)

increased levels of serotonin & decreased levels of norepinephrine.
or a dysfuntion in its reuptake.

brats are twice as worse when they complain about how no one cares about them & then when you try to help them out they'll go "you don't know what it's like to be me! you'll never understand! leave me alone..!" :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Uriko (Post 603840)

yeah. people who are emo over shallow things. *slap slap*

their species somehow still manage to survive in the college environment. just a heads up.

Originally Posted by ivi0nk3y (Post 603846)

Alright so what about how teens are portrayed in some Japanese media. Are rebel teens popular or few and far between? Or are most of them the type to go to school, come home, do pilates etc.

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 603842)

I`m far far too late to this discussion... But I`ll drop my opinion on certain things, as I haven`t spotted them covered in a quick skim through the countless posts in here.

In my mind, angst is more an issue than straight out suicide. It seems, in my experience, that angst is not only accepted - but almost encouraged - in the US. On the other hand, angst is hardly an issue in Japan.
In the US, teenagers are far more likely to whine and talk about being depressed wanting to commit suicide, etc... Even if they really aren`t going to. But in Japan, if someone is going to do it they do it quietly without fanfare. You don`t see kids running around moping and whining at anywhere near the level in the US. Someone who is would be considered "dark" and odd and would make people uncomfortable. This is a stark contrast to the social groups which seem to make "dark" and moping a central point in the US.

Originally Posted by Uriko (Post 603863)

what if the occurence of angst in Japan & the US are the same, just expressed differently?

Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 603871)

The occurrence isn`t the issue. It`s the glamorization of it, to an extent. In Japan, it`s considered normal for parents and kids to not always agree... But in the US, it seems like it`s considered normal for teenagers to be downright crazy and to be beyond any sort of comprehension by adults. Japan doesn`t share that view.