The Lolita Complex: - Scholarly Commons Home

These pressures, combined with the effects of an ever-shifting and in
recent decades relatively unstable economy, have caused young people to
fear growing up and to prolong the adolescent stage.
Their values are also different to those of their parents in that “traditional Japanese
beliefs, such as selfless devotion to employers, respect for seniors and
perseverance, are collapsing”. All of this combines to contribute to a generation of
young people that is increasingly removed, intentionally or not, from what is
perceived as a ‘normal’ progression into adult life. 96
Says Dela Peña, “it seems clear that for this youth, entrance into what can be
considered ‘normal’ Japanese society is impossible and unacceptable”. 97
Although this phenomenon is widespread in Japan, it is particularly
pertinent to Gothloli who appear to take the escapism from adult reality one
step further by returning to a childish existence and the realm of dolls. As
Pate has written, the “particular love of the Japanese for the ningyō reflects
an appreciation [for]… the innocence of childhood and an attempt to
continue to view the world through the child’s eye long after the eye has
matured into adulthood”. 98
For many reasons Gothloli attempt to extend this child’s view on life
for as long as they can. “Hine”, a 30-year-old Auckland Lolita, has said:
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