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I've noticed from the novels that I read, not only in this site but in others as well, that when a certain MC displays a passive, 'pushover', non-assuming behavior towards others, they are quickly labeled as 'Doormat'/'Dense'/'Beta'.
Well, while I don't try to contest such beliefs, I'd like to try to explain why the 'Dense, Japanese MC' stereotype exists.
First off, though Asia is a big continent enough to have several subcontinents and diversity in cultures, one cannot deny the fact that most Asian cultures lean on the conservative side. This meant, though it may sound questionable to Westerners, that there's a certain bias towards the men over women. Yep, we're highly patriarchal.
So, influenced by this, we mostly are given the education that women should be given certain priviledges they should enjoy. Thus, the MCs that are kind (sometimes unconditional to the point of being seen as a pushover) to the ladies.
Second, we have that perception that men who often speak, are generally seen as effiminate. Also, men who fight back against women physically or verbally. In fact, there were countries (like mine), that if you physically hurt a woman regardless of the circumstance, the case could be turned against you. Yeah, it sounds weird, but it does exist.
And so explains the quiet, 'pushover' MC.
Third, we are educated to treat the ladies with reserved behavior, meaning, those men who aggressively pursue or pick-up a lady on the street is generally frowned upon, and can even get that guy arrested. Thus, the shy-type MCs, especially around women.
Okay. Let me be clear that I'm not defending these practices. I'm just trying to explain why the 'Beta' MC exists in the eyes of the Western audiences.
You see, we may be the shy, quiet, 'pushovers', however, we prefer to let out our aggressiveness over something else, like in the fields of science, literature, etc. That's why the Asian dad meme, and the OP, but dense MC exists. Again, this is a product of a generally-strict Asian household.
Take note, though this may be common, there are exceptions to the rule...especially in Asian societies heavily influenced by Western standards. But generally, it's been like that before globalization.
So yeah, this is what I observed while going around in webnovel platforms like ScribbleHub.
Well, while I don't try to contest such beliefs, I'd like to try to explain why the 'Dense, Japanese MC' stereotype exists.
First off, though Asia is a big continent enough to have several subcontinents and diversity in cultures, one cannot deny the fact that most Asian cultures lean on the conservative side. This meant, though it may sound questionable to Westerners, that there's a certain bias towards the men over women. Yep, we're highly patriarchal.
So, influenced by this, we mostly are given the education that women should be given certain priviledges they should enjoy. Thus, the MCs that are kind (sometimes unconditional to the point of being seen as a pushover) to the ladies.
Second, we have that perception that men who often speak, are generally seen as effiminate. Also, men who fight back against women physically or verbally. In fact, there were countries (like mine), that if you physically hurt a woman regardless of the circumstance, the case could be turned against you. Yeah, it sounds weird, but it does exist.
And so explains the quiet, 'pushover' MC.
Third, we are educated to treat the ladies with reserved behavior, meaning, those men who aggressively pursue or pick-up a lady on the street is generally frowned upon, and can even get that guy arrested. Thus, the shy-type MCs, especially around women.
Okay. Let me be clear that I'm not defending these practices. I'm just trying to explain why the 'Beta' MC exists in the eyes of the Western audiences.
You see, we may be the shy, quiet, 'pushovers', however, we prefer to let out our aggressiveness over something else, like in the fields of science, literature, etc. That's why the Asian dad meme, and the OP, but dense MC exists. Again, this is a product of a generally-strict Asian household.
Take note, though this may be common, there are exceptions to the rule...especially in Asian societies heavily influenced by Western standards. But generally, it's been like that before globalization.
So yeah, this is what I observed while going around in webnovel platforms like ScribbleHub.
