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2 Finding oneself a loneliness agenda

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Abstract

This chapter explores the policy, practice and media contexts surrounding the emergence of the youth loneliness agenda. To understand the social conditions of loneliness it is necessary to locate youth loneliness in the neoliberalising policy context, and the intersections between neoliberalism and the individualising tendencies of psychological research and loneliness interventions. Finally, the chapter questions the representation of youth loneliness, especially how loneliness emerges and spreads, through notions of contagion and crisis.

Abstract

This chapter explores the policy, practice and media contexts surrounding the emergence of the youth loneliness agenda. To understand the social conditions of loneliness it is necessary to locate youth loneliness in the neoliberalising policy context, and the intersections between neoliberalism and the individualising tendencies of psychological research and loneliness interventions. Finally, the chapter questions the representation of youth loneliness, especially how loneliness emerges and spreads, through notions of contagion and crisis.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. Notes on the authors iv
  4. Acknowledgements v
  5. Preface vii
  6. Animate, attune, amplify 1
  7. Finding oneself a loneliness agenda 11
  8. I’m new here: creating a new research project and a young person-led research agenda 23
  9. The social conditions of loneliness
  10. Loneliness and poverty 39
  11. Being an outsider 51
  12. The education system, aspiration and loneliness 61
  13. The experience of loneliness
  14. Transitions 73
  15. Loss, grief and loneliness 85
  16. Being left out 95
  17. Online spaces and connection 105
  18. Building friendship and connection
  19. Asking for help and offering connection 121
  20. Youth work as method 131
  21. Creativity and solidarity as method: the example of Missing and other stories 147
  22. New ways for thinking and feeling loneliness 161
  23. References 179
  24. Index 193
Young and Lonely
This chapter is in the book Young and Lonely
https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447355366-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. Notes on the authors iv
  4. Acknowledgements v
  5. Preface vii
  6. Animate, attune, amplify 1
  7. Finding oneself a loneliness agenda 11
  8. I’m new here: creating a new research project and a young person-led research agenda 23
  9. The social conditions of loneliness
  10. Loneliness and poverty 39
  11. Being an outsider 51
  12. The education system, aspiration and loneliness 61
  13. The experience of loneliness
  14. Transitions 73
  15. Loss, grief and loneliness 85
  16. Being left out 95
  17. Online spaces and connection 105
  18. Building friendship and connection
  19. Asking for help and offering connection 121
  20. Youth work as method 131
  21. Creativity and solidarity as method: the example of Missing and other stories 147
  22. New ways for thinking and feeling loneliness 161
  23. References 179
  24. Index 193
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