Interesting piece by a BBC reporter about Retired Husband Syndrome – a condition seen in some Japanese wives. I can well believe that having a retired husband suddenly cluttering up your personal space can be unnerving, and given certain aspects of Japanese society, it can amplify into a syndrome. Thus far, Martin and I have managed to avoid it. Not living in a two-room flat probably helps.
Retired Husband Syndrome
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2 responses to “Retired Husband Syndrome”
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This I can well believe. But you’re much too interesting to make anyone sick mate.
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From what I have read regarding Japan’s urban planning policy and its
history of building ’60s New Towns’, that catered for a middle class,
baby boomer generation who desired for suburban 3room or 2room LDK
detached and semi detached housing has actually been fundamental in
creating a psychological and geographical divide between marital
couples. The marital couple, through the distance created as a
consequence of the sprawl of the suburban New Towns were left to lead
almost entirely separate lives from each other as the man spent most of
his time commuting and working late and the women found means of
supplementing and replacing his absence through the social networks of
other desperate housewives in the sprawl of the suburbs. Cultural
pressures which are anti-divorce and the expectations of the role of
the wife probably aided the impact of the retiring husband, but
non-the-less a two bedroom flat may have been more advisable in
maintaining a stronger social integration. Just my thought.
Geoff Coupe's Blog 
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