【Manga】Chapter 1: Is Sharing Really Everything?! What is the "sharing" mindset among young people?

The university students who answered our interview this time:
A-kun: Male, third-year university student, lives in a share house
B-san: Female, third-year university student, lives in the same share house as A-kun
C-kun: Male, second-year university student, lives at home
D-san: Female, second-year university student, lives at home

So, we actually sat down with university students to think about "sharing"!

 

──What comes to mind when you hear "share"?

A-kun: I guess it's the idea of "sharing" your own or others' thoughts.

Ms. D: I picture the "share" button on Facebook.

Ms. B:, Mr. C: I picture actively putting something out there.
　

──I see. Because of Facebook and Twitter, people often call us the "generation that shares everything," but do you actually feel like you share a lot of things?

B: Not really. I get it when people say it, but...

C: Not everyone is actively sharing; some are just watching.

──So, while adults around them might see everyone's actions as constant sharing, the individuals themselves aren't really conscious of it to that extent. We have A-kun and B-san, who are actually living in a share house, participating this time. What's it really like?

B: We do live in a share house, but it's run by an organization with a specific philosophy, and it's where college students who resonate with that philosophy gather.

A: It's a place where university students who genuinely want to make the most of their college life gather, and it's structured so that people who can provide useful connections and advice for the future are right there with us.

──So there's a concept behind it. You mentioned men and women live together—is that really true?

B: Well, yes (laughs). But there are about 50 students total, and it's roughly half men and half women. There are clearly designated shared spaces and separate spaces for men and women, so privacy is protected.
　

──I see. So, living with like-minded students means you can inspire each other, and you have people nearby who will help you think through how to achieve your dreams and ideals. Did you two move into that share house because you resonated with that concept?

A: Yes.

──You're both in the same club, but you end up spending almost all your time together, right?

B: Exactly. We leave the share house together for club activities in the morning and come back together after they end at night. Of course, we sometimes have separate plans, but we really spend a lot of time together.

──Isn't that way beyond the level of normal college friends!? How much time do you two spend together...

A: We're not family, of course, but it feels like we're kindred spirits with the same aspirations.
　

──Just hearing that, you could easily mistake them for a couple living together, but they're not, right?

B: Nope (laughs)

A-kun: There's no romantic feelings (laughs)

──C-kun and D-san live with their parents, but after hearing about this kind of situation, would you want to try living in a share house?

C: Honestly, I don't really think so. I'd probably find it tough not having my own time.

D: I don't really think so either. I'm interested, but if I were to do it, I'd probably choose living alone.

──So even for share houses, it feels like you could do it only if you saw some benefit, like A-kun and B-san did?

D: Yeah. I don't really feel the need to live in a share house right now.

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Wakamon: What about you, Manager Hirai?

Hirai: Living together without romantic feelings? I can't believe it. In my day, that would've been unthinkable.

Wakamon: Young people these days are rational. So even if they do share a house, there has to be a rational reason for it. That's why I think if they have a reason to do it, they'll do whatever it takes—share a house or whatever—without worrying about anything else. But if there's no reason or rationality, they won't do it!

Hirai: So they're actually more mature than us~. I don't think we were that rational back then. We lived more by our feelings! Being rational just feels a bit too intellectual, you know?

Youngster: No, no! That's not it. It's true they value rationality, but there's definitely emotion involved too.

Hirai: Hmmm. That's tricky...

Wakamon: People tend to think we share everything indiscriminately, but we're actually making calm, rational judgments.

Hirai: So what we assume and how young people actually think are pretty different, huh.

Wakamon: Exactly. Let's keep learning about the realities of different young people from now on!

(Column: Rei Nagi)

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【Wakamon Profile】
Dentsu Inc. Youth Research Department (nickname: Wakamon) is a planning team that engages with the real lives and mindsets of young people, primarily high school and college students. We explore hints to brighten and invigorate the near future, starting from their "now." By anticipating the future through their insights, we realize new businesses that foster better relationships between young people and society. Currently, 14 project members are based across our Tokyo headquarters, Kansai branch, and Chubu branch. Stay updated via the Wakamon Facebook page.