The Lolita Complex: - Scholarly Commons Home

The Means to Shock
As discussed, the Japanese Lolita fashion subculture is unique in its
trajectory of the feminine. It is also revolutionary in that it gives women the
right to be feminine, to be cute, sweet, childlike and princess-like on their
own terms. Although the Cute paradigm in Japan is associated with
vulnerability and weakness, submission and repression, exploitation and
powerlessness, especially in relation to popular imagery, the Lolita
movement paradoxically resists this construction.
Many Gothloli vehemently deny any sexual connotations attached to
the Lolita movement. This can be said in regard to the intentions,
appearance and behaviour of its members. However, as indicated, it cannot
be said that the subculture is in no way linked to notions of paedophilia,
child sexuality, and pornography. And while it may not be calculated to feed
the Lolita Complex, it certainly helps to satisfy it. It is this element
particularly that makes participation in the subculture so rebellious.
What is truly shocking about Lolita is the adoption of an innocent yet
fetishised identity and the brazen acceptance of the Lolita tag itself,
considering all of its controversial evocations. This is contentious and
therefore subversive.
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