Is There Any Solace For The Lonely

Is There Any Solace For The Lonely?

Our culture is too civilized to allow the physical torture of criminals. Therefore, solitary confinement is used as an alternative punishment for prisoners serving time. Solitary confinement seems like a joke, being alone in an enclosed room with no human contact for a few weeks. Yet, being alienated and lonely are very effective methods of psychological torture. In fact, the sense of loneliness is so overwhelming, it tends to drive criminals mad. The problem with loneliness is that it does not just affect prisoners in solitary, it can overwhelm anyone at anytime. What was once an emotional state of being that only afflicted the elderly, is now commonplace for the youth of tomorrow. Many are looking for deeper insight about the causes of loneliness in adolescents, which is defined as a "sense of absence or loss even in the midst of a crowd" (Jain 1). The best source for a greater understanding about loneliness is poet, Brian Brennan. His poem "Under Solace Tree" reveals how social gauntlets and adolescent alienation are the primary causes of loneliness.

Social gauntlets are the primary differentiation between adult and teenage loneliness. Adults are not as likely to undertake social "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 belonging. 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 smoke marijuana with them.

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 ego 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 wound (Jain 2).