The Lonely Teen: Would a Nutritional Metaphor Bring Insight?
Briefly

The article discusses how metaphors shape our understanding of societal issues, using crime as an example. A comparison to a virus fosters different solutions than likening it to a beast. It also highlights the epidemic of loneliness in the U.S., particularly affecting young adults, referencing a 2023 report detailing stark loneliness statistics. Only 39% of adults feel very connected, and social engagement has drastically decreased since 2003. This isolation has profound impacts not just on mental health but also on physical well-being, suggesting a need for re-framing how we address these issues.
Metaphors shape our understanding of problems, as shown by comparing crime to a virus versus a beast, leading to different solutions based on the chosen metaphor.
The issue of loneliness in the US is widespread, particularly among young adults, with 61% of adults feeling disconnected, highlighting an epidemic affecting mental and physical health.
The decline in social engagement since 2003 indicates a deepening crisis of disconnection, particularly evident among adolescents as social media use has paradoxically increased feelings of isolation.
Reports highlight that only 39 percent of adults feel very connected to others, contributing to the growing epidemic of loneliness, which has substantial implications for both mental and physical health.
Read at Psychology Today
[
|
]