Attitudes toward solitude differ radically across cultures.
Japan: Hikikomori
In Japan, there's a phenomenon called hikikomori—people (usually young men) who completely isolate themselves from society, locking themselves in their rooms for months or years.
According to government estimates, more than 1.5 million Japanese live in this state.
Society perceives this as a social catastrophe. The government launches reintegration programs. Parents are in despair. Psychologists call it "social death."
But some researchers, including Oxford sociologist Michael Zielenziger, suggest: hikikomori is not only a disease, but also an extreme form of protest against Japan's rigid conformist culture.
In a country where social pressure is unbearable, where complete devotion to work is expected (culture of "karoshi"—death from overwork), where shame (haji) is the primary social control—retreating to one's room becomes a way of saying "no" to the system.
Scandinavia: Culture of Independence
In Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, living alone is the norm, not an anomaly.
More than half of Swedish households are single-person. This is not considered a problem.
Scandinavian cultures value autonomy and personal space. There's a concept of "lagom" (Swedish)—balance, moderation, "just enough."
In Norway, there's the notion of "koselig"—coziness in solitude, enjoying one's own company.
Finns joke: "An introverted Finn looks at his own shoes when talking. An extroverted Finn looks at the other person's shoes."
Being alone is not a tragedy, it's simply one of life's options. The state supports this through social policy: affordable single-person housing, complete economic independence for women, absence of stigma.
Mediterranean and Latin America: Collectivism
In Italy, Spain, Greece, and Latin American countries, family is the absolute center of life.
Living alone is perceived as strange or unfortunate. Adult children live with parents until 30-40 years old. Sunday family dinners are a sacred tradition.
In Italy, 67% of young people aged 18-34 live with their parents—the highest rate in Europe.
In Argentina, the Sunday "asado" (barbecue with family) is a mandatory event. Refusing to attend is perceived almost as betrayal.
Solitude here is nearly taboo.
East Asia: Filial Piety
In China, Korea, Vietnam, the concept of "filial piety" (孝, xiào) means you're obligated to care for your parents, live near them, continue the family line.
The choice to live alone, especially for women, is perceived as selfishness and rejection of family duty.
In Korea, there's the term "골드미스" (gold miss)—a successful unmarried woman over 30. Despite economic success, society looks at them with pity.
In China, unmarried women over 27 are called "剩女" (shèngnǚ)—"leftover women," as if they're expired goods.
India: Collective Identity
In India, the concept of individuality is often subordinated to family and caste identity.
Marriages are still mostly arranged by families. Living separately from family before marriage is rare, especially for women.
The choice not to marry is perceived as an anomaly that requires explanation.
Middle East: Family as Foundation
In Arab countries, Iran, Turkey, family ties are so strong that the concept of voluntary solitude barely exists.
Getting married and having children is not a choice, but an expectation. Single adults live with parents until marriage.
Even in more liberal cities like Dubai or Istanbul, social pressure to start a family remains very strong.
Africa: Ubuntu
In many African cultures, there's a concept of "ubuntu"—"I am because we are." Identity is collective.
Living alone is perceived not just as strange, but almost as a rejection of humanity.
The extended family—aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents—live together or very close by.
What Does This Tell Us?
Attitudes toward solitude are not universal. They are culturally determined.
What is considered normal in Stockholm is perceived as tragedy in Naples, Mumbai, or Lima.
This means: there's no "correct" attitude toward solitude. There are cultural narratives that we internalize.
And if these narratives don't fit us—we have the right to reject them.
Globalization and urbanization are slowly changing even the most collectivist cultures. In Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Mumbai, the number of young people choosing career and autonomy over traditional family is growing.
But resistance remains strong.