New ways for thinking and feeling loneliness

Abstract

The final chapter concludes by suggesting ways to think and relate to loneliness beyond individualising accounts and in ways that account for social conditions. The chapter returns to the youth co-researchers agenda for youth loneliness and considers the research findings in relation to the themes of experiencing difference, re-imagining connection, and recognising the productivity of youth work practices and moving methods in researching youth loneliness. The findings are used to re-engage with the youth loneliness agenda in ways that push beyond the constraints of the neoliberalising commonsense. Instead, the case is made that responding to the challenge of youth loneliness requires enabling young people to encounter forms of radical democracy and once again re-imagining the potentials of friendship, mutuality, association and co-operation for young people today. Finally, the chapter concludes with a series of recommendations for things we can all do or not do to help young people navigate unwanted experiences of loneliness.