這個社會特性, 該用什麼樣的term去概括它? 200年來, 西方社會sociologists 絞盡腦汁coin了一堆term 去描繪他們所處的時代特性,such as industrial society, modern society, post-modern society, consumer society, risk society, network society, 還有什麼term 沒秀出來呢?
fancy terms總是掛著一些fancy theories, 私自的觀察是, 在當代, 因愈見不著所敬愛葉啟政老師所說的經世濟民情操,
這些東西, 慢慢也只成為一些人考試或寫文章時吊書袋的玩意兒; 不可否認的是, 後進國家,
也包括台灣, 很多人特愛拾人牙慧……No comment
早上聽新聞時,這個term- Lonely society 不知為何特別打動我, 也許它所指涉的現象, 因著長期異鄉人關係,
感受更深; 不久前跟許多人聊過相同的事, 有些覺得並不嚴重,
看來事實真相只有一個: 若非你們是相當幸福的一群! 不然那便是真相被掩蔽了,
hope not so ………..
Ps:研究結果出自Mental health foundation這份有趣的報告, 之前一些我的觀察, 在這都得到了經驗佐證, 當然樣本只限英國:
e.g. 英國平均每十個人裡面，就有一個感到寂寞，分 析原因，現代人工作忙碌、人際關係愈來愈疏離是主要原因。
網路儘管使人不出門，也可以和全世界聯繫，然而這樣的聯 繫，和面對面的互動，畢竟是不同…..
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=78999
Modern way of life leading to loneliness, says new report
- One in ten people feel lonely often
- Loneliness a common experience yet 'embarrassing to admit'
- Feeling alone linked to physical and mental ill health
According to a new report released today by the Mental Health Foundation, relationships that are vital to health and well-being are under threat by modern life, which can isolate people from one another and lead to loneliness. UK-wide research* carried out for The Lonely Society? shows that one in ten people often feel lonely (11%) and half think that people are getting lonelier in general (48%).
The report says the way in which people now live is impacting on their ability to connect with others. More people live alone: the percentage of households occupied by one person doubled from 6% in 1972 to 12% in 2008. The divorce rate has almost doubled in the past 50 years and the number of lone parent households is rising. People are living longer but many older people are doing so alone. Because of people pursuing careers and education opportunities, many now live further away from their families and the communities they grew up in. Figures show that one in three people would like to live closer to their family to see them more often (35%).
Old-style communities are in decline and the closure of local amenities such as post offices and working men's clubs have had an impact on people for whom they were a focal point, particularly those living on the margins of society and vulnerable to loneliness, such as the elderly, people out of work or those living with a disability.
Loneliness can affect people of all ages
Research in The Lonely Society? illustrates that feeling lonely is not only common among the elderly. A recent report from the NSPCC** found that children are reporting more experiences of loneliness than in previous years, and middle age is a time when people can find themselves isolated as a result of retirement, children leaving the family home, divorce and bereavement, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
The statistics reveal that women are more likely than men to feel lonely sometimes (38%, compared with 30%). A greater number of women (47%) than men (36%) have felt depressed because they felt alone, and have sought help for feeling lonely (13% women, compared to 10% men). This is consistent with existing research that women are generally more likely to seek professional help for health related problems.
Loneliness a common experience yet 'embarrassing to admit to'
Loneliness a common experience: the report reveals only 1 in 5 people never feel lonely (22%) and 1 in 3 people have a close friend or family member who they think is very lonely (37%) yet one in three people would be embarrassed to admit to feeling lonely (30%). This reluctance, according to the Mental Health Foundation, is because western societies take pride inself-reliance.
Pressure to be 'productive' can lead to loneliness
The charity’s report suggests that a shift in attitudes is also contributing to loneliness. For some, investing time in social activities is seen as less important than work. Evidence in The Lonely Society? shows that people feel pressure to be 'productive' and busy, and as a consequence neglect vital relationships with friends and family. Individuals pursuing aspirations in a market-driven world may be doing so at their own expense, and neglecting the basic human need to connect with others, says the Mental Health Foundation.
Loneliness linked to health problems
While loneliness is a natural emotion that has played a part in human evolution, feeling lonely for a long time can lead to physical and mental health problems. Polling for the report reveals that four in ten people have felt depressed because they felt alone (42%). Persistent loneliness is also linked to stress, as well as poorer functioning of the immune and cardiovascular systems. Evidence shows that loneliness makes it harder to control the habits and behaviour that can lead to health problems. Lonely middle-aged adults drink more alcohol, have unhealthier diets and take less exercise than the socially contented.
Technology: friend or foe?
Polling for the report reveals that one in five people say they spend too much time communicating with family and friends online when they should see them in person (18%). The internet has changed the way people communicate but some experts argue that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter undermine social skills and the ability to read body language.
Evidence in The Lonely Society? also reveals that technology doesn't provide the physical contact that benefits well-being. Cognitive function improves when a relationship is physical, as well as intellectual, because of the chemical process that takes place during face-to-face communication. This type of interaction produces the hormone oxytocin, which is thought to underpin the link between social contact and healthy hearts.
Technology is no substitute for human interaction, but the Mental Health Foundation says that it can facilitate relationships, both virtual and real, and can be used to reduce social isolation especially for those who are experiencing chronic loneliness, whether the root is emotional or circumstantial.
Need to help people experiencing loneliness
The charity is raising awareness of loneliness and of the steps people and policy-makers can take to combat isolation. It believes that everyone needs to be aware of the potential health problems linked to loneliness. The Lonely Society? states that individuals at risk of isolation, such as elderly people, those out of work and people with disabilities, should be offered support at an early stage to reduce their vulnerability to chronic loneliness and it’s associated health problems.
Comment
Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "Changes to the way we live are putting an increasing number of people at risk of loneliness, which can lead to health problems if chronic. People who find themselves feeling lonely should not have to feel uncomfortable talking about it or asking for help. By raising awareness of the subject we hope to tackle the stigma attached to loneliness and help individuals who are feeling lonely to connect with others."
NSPCC head of child protection awareness, Christopher Cloke, said: "Last year ChildLine received nearly 10,000 calls from children saying they felt lonely – an increase of 60% from five years ago. Loneliness has always been a part of some children's lives but it is deeply worrying that more children are contacting us about this. In the worst cases children became so desperate that they self-harm or even contemplate suicide."
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