The Lolita Complex: - Scholarly Commons Home

The Lolita as Princess Regnant
It is apparent, and I argue this strongly, that Gothloli do attempt to separate
and disassociate themselves from sexualised images and to actually combat
misinterpretation through communication and education. This is just as
much a necessity as it is a desire. As Isaac Gagné explains:
There is more at stake in educating each other through magazines and web forums
than merely constructing a shared notion of community. Haunting the Gothic
Lolita at every turn is… a pervasive misunderstanding of their subculture… and
results in attempts… to distance themselves from unwanted stereotypes… due to
its superficial similarities to bondage fashion and the fetishized Lolita of rorikon. 219
As discussed, this is imperative, especially in a country where the sex
industry is so heavily framed by cute images and an obsession with the little
girl image; an environment especially fraught with dangers for any young
woman who is perceived to feed the Lolita Complex.
Even further complications, and another reason for the Gothloli to
battle against a sexualised misidentification, arise in regard to comparisons
made between Lolita and the Japanese Maid phenomenon. This industry
which sees young “maids” working in so-called Maid Cafés – whereby these
maids mostly innocently serve tea, but may provide, in some establishments,
extra private “services” – is recognised by Gagné as an “additional catalyst
to the sexual objectification” of Gothloli due to a commonly mistaken
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