Are you a "Losing Dog"?

The term "The Howl of the Losing Dogs" is popular in Japan at the moment. Originally, the term came from the name of a book which describes childless, unmarried women over thirty as "losing dogs."

The other day I met a woman who fits this definition and asked for her frank opinion. She is a so-called "parasite single" (a young person who still lives with their parents) who can afford holidays overseas two or three times a year. "My age and single status makes people consider me as a "losing dog." Right now I don't have a man who I'd really like to marry. I rather prefer being single instead of marrying although I sometimes feel a bit lonely."

On the other hand, a woman over thirty with a child put it this way: "My child is lovely and I feel happy to live with him. I compromised my wishes and married my husband before I turned thirty although we are incompatible. I don't want to be with him, but I hesitate to divorce ..."

In Japan there is still a strong belief that if a woman marries before thirty and has children, she will be happy. Even now, some men think that women who do not marry have some problems. But ideal
partners do not appear so easily. Even if you wait, there is no guarantee a wonderful partner will appear. Alternatively, if you compromise your values, you may regret it later.

As the proverb says, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence," people often seek things they cannot reach. 'There is a good and a bad side to every situation. I remember the following words believed to have been spoken by Socrates, "You will regret whether you marry or you don't."

Back to List Page