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Young Are Much Lonelier Than the Old

Study: 'epidemic of loneliness' among 18-34

By Emily Rauhala,  Newser User

Posted May 25, 2010 10:32 AM CDT | Updated May 30, 2010 4:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – Loneliness plagues the young more than the old, a new study suggests. In a survey of 2,256 Brits, about 60% of people 18 to 34 said they often or sometimes felt lonely, compared to only 35% of those over 55, reports the BBC. The findings, a psychiatrist tells the Guardian, challenge "our stereotype of the older person, home alone." More women reported feeling lonely, noted the report, which also found that the proportion of people living alone doubled between 1972 and 2008.

The young and the lonely.
The young and the lonely.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
sidewinder
Jun 1, 2010 9:46 AM CDT
In a society that teaches there are no absolute values and that all things are morally equivalent of course people feel lonely. If you have no reason to live how could you be satisfied with anything or feel like you were anything but alone?

It's very sad, what we've become.
Plato
May 31, 2010 5:16 AM CDT
Disillusioned: You are correct. I am male, 74, married for 22 years, three children {we are on good terms}, divorced now for 20 years. I live alone. I have a number of acquaintances, I am not sure if any are "friends". I am cheerful with everybody. But I am old enough to know that I am really alone now, I accept it and it does not bother me.
DanielGrak
May 30, 2010 11:32 PM CDT
I think it's more about mindsets. Even when younger people are hanging out with friends and shit they are probably more likely to believe they don't "have anybody." Or perhaps don't have a soul mate or whatever you old people have. Young people who pack friends around themselves are probably the loneliest of all, if they got a bit introspective
 

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