Loneliness Epidemic and Incest: Young Adults Are Turning to Family for Connection
Loneliness Epidemic and Incest are becoming odd bedfellows. One of the most pressing mental health issues of our time. Often referred to as the loneliness epidemic, this widespread sense of isolation is affecting millions. As we rely more and more on our electronics for the fundamentals of communication, the art of conversation is being lost. With it, goes our ability to reach out and touch someone, in the literal sense as we never get close enough to strangers. Young adults in particular are suffering from extreme social anxiety, unsure how to interact beyond one or two words at a time, wishing for that perfect emoji when trying to navigate social awkwardness. As friendships become harder to maintain and digital interactions replace face-to-face conversations, many are turning to a familiar source of comfort: their families.
Several factors have contributed to this growing sense of disconnection. Remote work and online education have reduced natural opportunities for in-person socializing. Rising living costs make it difficult for young adults to move out and establish independent lives, further limiting social mobility. Many have yet to bounce back from the upending effect that global lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic had on their lives.
As a result, more and more young adults are leaning on their families, not just for financial support, but for emotional connection, companionship, and day-to-day interaction. Regular chats with parents or siblings are becoming increasingly common among those seeking a sense of belonging. In decades past, there was strong emphasis on forming friend groups and romantic partnerships outside the home. But now, family members are stepping in to fulfill many of those same social and emotional roles. For some, this return to family-based connection offers stability and grounding in an unpredictable world.
It’s not easy
Of course, relying on family more heavily comes with its challenges. Young adults may struggle with feelings of dependence or a perceived lack of progress. At the same time, families may feel the strain of supporting adult children longer than expected. The trick is to embrace it, act like adults rather than continuing the provider-dependent scenario. Together, even if only one is the bread-winner, family members can fulfill a truly supportive role for one another. Taking care of the burden of household tasks while someone works full-time, or balancing schedules to care for dependents, the family dynamic becomes an undeniable powerhouse.
For any adults facing isolation, reconnecting with family may be more than just a fallback, it might be the foundation for building healthier, more connected lives. In a world where loneliness is increasingly common, family ties are becoming more important than ever. And it isn’t just confined to the college-aged or recent grads leaving the dorms for home. Divorcees as well often find solace with an older parent, sharing expenses and experiences that previously might have been unthinkable.
The irony is that amid all this loneliness, everything is sexualized. Sexual proclivities of all shapes and flavors, save for one, are embraced even championed. While the one relationship which could hold the most meaning is denied to us with a hands off, look but don’t touch, feel guilty, etc. We shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to express adult love with family members. But then, we also shouldn’t be taking our cues from the gov’t as to who we should love either.
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