This article is part of the Fractured Canadian Relationships series.
What if I told you that loneliness is not just a personal problem, but a societal issue that affects us all?
Loneliness and social isolation are pervasive issues affecting Canadians across all age groups. Recent surveys and studies reveal a fractured landscape of relationships, with each generation facing unique challenges. You might be a social butterfly. Perhaps you prefer to keep yourself to yourself. If you’re like me, at times you like to be alone but being alone is not the same as being lonely. Loneliness is an emotion you experience when you feel isolated. When you feel like that, it’s more difficult for you to develop meaningful connections with others.
Researching Canadian sources (not included but I can provide links if you are interested in more content and detail), here’s a snapshot of how Canadians from Generation Alpha to the Silent Generation experience loneliness and disconnectedness, balanced with some causes and experiences. I also include a story made up from some stats to personalize it. So the read isn’t so long, there is a post for each GEN.
Generation X (Ages roughly 44-59, born 1965-1980)
- Statstics: The Vanier Institute reports that 38% of Gen X are simultaneously supporting both children and aging parents with 42% reporting they rarely have time for meaningful social connections outside immediate responsibilities. A 2022 workplace study found that 51% of Gen X workers feel their experience and knowledge are undervalued in workplaces of all ages.
- Causes: The original “latchkey” where learned independence limits connection with others. They experience a peak in caregiving responsibilities merging with peak career demands. This is often the “forgotten generation” in terms of workplace and community initiatives. Navigating midlife transitions with limited social support for this stage in life.
- Experience: Report feeling “sandwiched” or “squeezed” from all directions with limited support. Describe being on their own to navigate challenges that previous generations did with more community backing. Express frustration overlooked in generational conversations that focus between millennials and boomers.
“Another weekend, another out of town hockey tournament. I’m sitting in my SUV with a Timmies while scrolling through work emails – Monday’s presentation won’t write itself. The things we will do for our kids. When my parents split during the Mulroney years, I swore my kids would have the stability I never had. So here I am: mortgaged on a house I bought in a bidding war growing with interest and now no longer worth what I paid for it, RESP contributions, and a job that follows me 24/7 on this electronic leash. It is what it is. My university friends are scattered across the provinces. We keep promising to get together but no one steps up to make it happen. It’s fine. I’m fine. Yet come to think about it, apart from the carpool lane and No Frills, I haven’t had a real conversation about anything but logistics in months. I’m literally surround by people all day but invisible in a crowd. Typical X’er right? Stuck between millennials and boomers and overlooked.”
Gen X Xavier