THE PROBLEM OF LONELINESS

The world has become very close now since the advent of information technology. However, we have become much more apart than ever. Although information technology has contributed to bring people closer and made it very easy to reach friends and family as well as new people at far places within few seconds, the relationships we share have also become very complicated and distant. Since the introduction of mobile phone calls, text messages, emails, online social networks, chat rooms etc., there has never been a time when the means of communication were so numerous and easy to come by. Nevertheless, people still feel lonely in this information technology world where mass connection is the order of the day.

This issue has the interest of some researchers who took it upon themselves to look into the worrisome development. Such research work was done by John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick in the book “Loneliness - Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection”. The research work identified that “increased internet use can increase social isolation as well as depression when it replaces more tangible forms of human contact.”

It is common to find the modern person running here and there to finish one thing only to jump into the next thing that can keep him/her busy. All can be attributed to the frenzied rapidity of life forced on by the modern demands of society. This phenomenon has degenerated into a situation whereby it is no more conducive to warm human contact.
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The above picture can easily be associated with the workplaces and office. But the situation has sunk deep into the various homes of the modern family. In the modern homes, it is easy to notice that family members come and go without sharing meals or conversation. Young children now have their own computers and live virtually isolated life from the rest of the family. Ironically, in spite of all the electronic communication gadgets available to young people, many youngsters feel lonely.

It is widespread these days for the bonds of marriage to be threatened by feelings of loneliness purely as a result of inadequate communication. Lack of good communication between marriage partners can bring about a condition in which the two lead parallel lives, moving in lines that seldom meet. A feeing of being alone while living with a marriage partner is one of the most distressing forms of loneliness. It abuses and renders the purpose of marriage and holy matrimony meaningless.

The world of mass connection, among many other things can cut off companionship with their children and other family members, leading to feelings of loneliness to increase the more. Also, many single people long to have a companion, but their emotional needs remain unfulfilled no matter the varied kinds of communication available to them.

It looks as if loneliness is gradually becoming or has already become a social evil that can contribute to all sorts of deviant behaviours like alcoholism, overeating, drug abuse, promiscuous sexual behavior, and even suicide. It is therefore important to identify the causes of loneliness in order for the appropriate remedies to be determined to deal with this concur. Taking this first step can lead to success in coping with the problem.