Is There Any Solace For The Lonely :: essays research papers

Is There Any Solace For The lonely(a)?     Our culture is too civilized to allow the physical torture of criminals. Therefore, solitary(a) confinement is used as an alternative punishment for prisoners serving time. troglodyte confinement seems like a joke, organism alone in an cover room with no human contact for a few weeks. Yet, being alienated and lonely atomic number 18 very effective methods of psychological torture. In fact, the sense of forlornness is so overwhelming, it tends to drive criminals mad. The problem with loneliness is that it does non just affect prisoners in solitary, it can overwhelm anyone at anytime. What was at a time an emotional state of being that only afflicted the elderly, is straightway commonplace for the youth of tomorrow. Many be looking for deeper insight about the private roads of loneliness in adolescents, which is defined as a "sense of absence or loss even in the midst of a crowd" (Jain 1). The vanquish source for a greater understanding about loneliness is poet, Brian Brennan. His numbers "Under Solace Tree" reveals how companionable gauntlets and adolescent alienation ar the primary causes of loneliness.      Social gauntlets are the primary differentiation between vainglorious and teenage loneliness. Adults are non as likely to undertake affectionate "tests" to try and fit in. Older individuals usually have discovered who they are and accept it. The problem with youngsters is that they are still looking for acceptance and a sense of be enormousing. As a result, the "in-crowd" develops unspoken tests and tribulations for newcomers who wish to join. Such trials could be as discreet as being a good athlete, in order to be accepted into the "jock" crowd. On the other hand, "burn-outs" would not trust you, or even remotely invite you into their "club" if you refused to skunk marijuana with them.   &nb sp  Social gauntlets are used to weed out those that are deemed "not worthy" to join, from those that are. When a new member is accepted, it acts like an swelled head boost for that individual, thereby increasing their self-esteem. Although, the self-image boost lasts only as long as the group, leaving the youth worse off than before when it disperses, because now they have sacrificed their independence for acceptance. On the other hand, failing to pass social gauntlets will have detrimental effects on the flunky. It will cause loneliness, the feeling of an ache more painful than any physical bruise (Jain 2).