Chinese textbook helps boys find masculine side amid ‘gender crisis’ caused by effeminate men in Japanese, Korean culture
Little Men, issued on Wednesday for Shanghai fourth and fifth-form schoolboys, sparks controversy for putting stress on masculinity in male-dominated country
A Shanghai publisher has issued China’s first “textbook for boys” to help them embrace their masculinity amid a “gender crisis” reportedly caused by the widespread portrayal of effeminate men in Japanese and Korean popular culture, mainland media reports.
The book was released in Shanghai by the Shanghai Educational Publishing House on Wednesday in an attempt to “cultivate masculinity” in Chinese boys, China News Service reported.
However, it has already sparked controversy, with people criticising China’s overly male-dominated society, which had stressed masculinity, the report said.
The six-chapter book, titled Xiaoxiao Nanzihan, or “Little Men” in English, encourages boys to be courageous and focus on their masculine side.
You Rui, the book’s chief editor, told The Beijing News that they hoped the book would help boys to develop a more outgoing nature and overcome problems linked to “growing up”.