By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The Journey to Comprehending Isolation
At the Happiness Factory in South Korea, the only link each small room has to the outside world is a feeding hole in the door. Phones and laptops are prohibited inside these cells, which are no larger than a closet, leaving the inhabitants with nothing but bare walls. While the residents may don blue prison uniforms, they are not inmates; they are participating in a "confinement experience" to gain insight into the lives of their socially withdrawn children.
This initiative aims to help parents better understand the plight of their children, often referred to as hikikomori, a term originating in Japan in the 1990s to describe severe social withdrawal among young people. A recent survey by the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare found that over 5% of 19 to 34 year olds are isolating themselves, equating to about 540,000 individuals across the country. Since April, parents have been engaging in a 13 week program funded by NGOs like the Korea Youth Foundation and the Blue Whale Recovery Centre. This program includes a three day stay in a Hongcheon gun facility, where participants experience life in a solitary confinement like cell, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of their children's isolation.
The Emotional Impact and Cultural Context
Jin Young hae's son, who has secluded himself for three years, has prompted her to seek this confinement experience. Since her time at the Happiness Factory, Ms. Jin has gained a clearer perspective on her son's "emotional prison." Reflecting on her experience, she realizes the profound sense of protection her son feels in his silence, stemming from a belief that no one understands him.
The program highlights various factors driving young people into isolation, including difficulties finding employment, interpersonal relationship issues, family problems, and health concerns. South Korea, grappling with high suicide rates, has initiated a five year plan to offer state funded mental health check ups for young adults. Professor Jeong Go woon of Kyung Hee University notes that societal pressures to achieve life milestones amplify young people's anxiety, exacerbated by economic challenges and low employment rates. This cultural backdrop, where parents often express love through practical support rather than verbal communication, further complicates the issue. As South Korea's wealth inequality has worsened over the past three decades, these pressures have intensified, leading to a cycle of isolation affecting entire families.
Parents, like those participating in the Happiness Factory program, hope to better understand and reconnect with their children. Director Kim Ok ran of the Blue Whale Recovery Centre emphasizes that the perception of self isolating youth as a "family problem" often isolates parents as well, preventing them from seeking support even from close relatives. The program encourages parents to watch over their children with empathy and patience, fostering a supportive environment for their eventual return to society.