The only thing connecting each tiny room at the Happiness Factory to the outside world is a feeding hole in the door. No phones or laptops have only bare walls for the company. Residents are parents in blue prison uniforms, and come to the center in South Korea for a “confinement experience”. About 5% of 19–34-year-olds isolate themselves, a severe social withdrawal due to unemployment, interpersonal problems, family problems, and health issues. Parents of such children come for a 13-week parental education to identify with their isolated children and learn from that experience. South Korea has the highest suicide rates in the world. Children’s achievements are considered parents’ success, failure means failure in upbringing – a sense of guilt. (Hyojung Kim, BBC.com 29 June 2024)
Adam and loneliness: Even in the Garden of Eden, the best of the world, Adam felt lonely. God gave Adam, Eve as wife, companion, and helpmeet. (Genesis 2:18-25) God has created humans as social beings. Hence, need family, relatives, friends, and fellowship.
Family issues & Interpersonal problems: The great place of nurture, sharing, and caring is the family. Children who do not grow up in stable homes tend to lack social skills and feel rejected and disillusioned. Hence, do not have good relationships with peers. Sometimes, they are rejected as they are aggressive. Adolescents who lack love in the family, try to get from others. This may lead to infatuation and irresponsible, immature, and immoral relationships with the opposite sex.
Lack of life purpose: Parents want their children to succeed and impose their unfulfilled dreams on their children. When children feel they cannot measure up to the expectations of parents, they withdraw themselves. Parents should teach children about God as Creator, and that all are created for a purpose on this planet earth.
Koinonia: The local church is a great place for social life. Sunday school for children, youth fellowships, and young adults’ fellowships provide love, acceptance, care, meaning, and purpose for life. When parents are isolated from church, children also will and certainly suffer.
Do I value and cherish the fellowship in the church?