Time, Emotion, and Money Required in Romantic Relationships Cause Inhibition
"Still Want to Have Skinship" Alternatives
Researcher: "Low Self-Esteem and Lack of Experience with the Opposite Sex"
[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] The so-called 'Juiyou (嘴友, lip friends)', who only kiss and do not develop into romantic relationships, is becoming popular mainly on Chinese university campuses and social networking services (SNS).
Chinese media Pengpai and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) recently reported that messages seeking people who only want to kiss without dating are spreading on social networking services (SNS), university campuses, and bulletin boards.
No sexual relations either... Immediate termination of relationship if either party wishes
'Juiyou' means 'lip friends', where people only kiss but do not develop into romantic partners or have sexual relations. They do not interfere with each other's lives, and either party can terminate the relationship at any time if they wish. Most of these cases involve 'anonymous one-time relationships' where people who do not know each other kiss and then do not contact each other again.
The term first appeared around 2008 and has recently gained attention online again. It is analyzed that young people who are not confident or do not have the conditions to invest time, emotions, and money into 'dating' seek 'skinship with the opposite sex' through Juiyou.
Pengpai reported that young people who have experienced Juiyou relationships responded, "I am afraid to have a real relationship because I worry about handling emotions," and "It is an alternative sought when one wants a real relationship but cannot have one for various reasons."
Reflecting social trends such as lack of dating experience and low self-esteem
Online discussions about Juiyou include opinions like "It is a personal choice," but also negative reactions such as "It is a barter that disrespects one's own body and treats it as a tool," and "There is a problem with young people's mindset about love and dating." Pengpai also reported that sexual harassment comments are sometimes posted on Juiyou-related posts, and some people met through Juiyou demand sexual relations. In response, those with experience added that meeting at home or in enclosed spaces is dangerous.
Fei Junfeng, a researcher at Nanjing University's Psychological Health Education Center, said in an interview with Pengpai, "Juiyou is not a true dating experience," and "It reflects the current social trend where many young people are emotionally unprepared for relationships due to lack of dating experience, low confidence and self-esteem, and trust issues." He added, "At the same time, they dare not even meet solely for sexual purposes."
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