Moral Problems of Loneliness in the Family

Abstract

In consequence of the globalization process and of an unprecedented development of the electronic media – that abolish the time and space barriers – the world has been called aglobal village. It could seem that owing to this fact people would easily get closer to one another. However, what can be seen is the quickly growing phenomenon of loneliness. The range of atrophy of deep interpersonal bonds is so serious that the term „lonely crowd” has been coined. This happens so because the possibilities and technical facilities themselves – although they undoubtedly constitute a chance – cannot form deep interpersonal relations, as the relations are formed by people who can become an unselfish gift and accept others as agift.

Unfortunately, the occurring civilization transformations, and a disintegration of the traditional family that happens along with them, contribute to an increase in the lack of understanding and in loneliness in the family circle. Loneliness in the family results from the lack of proper bonds between its members. Hence being together is often reduced to the physical presence devoid of a deeper, spiritual dimension. Living together, but not united, leads to solitude that can affect everybody: the spouses, children, elderly people. In order to be a real community a family has to constantly discover anew its communal identity. Marital and familial „community of persons” – although it grows from a gift of the loving God – is a task for the people forming it.