I think that, in the early days, when I was studying, I believed fervently that the reason was because of the breakdown in family support systems. Gone were the days of extended families - When granny helped out and the children were always surrounded by loved ones. Families were close because children never really left the area in which they were born. Mothers, of course, although always working (but not necessarily for money!) were always there, and the children grew up around their feet. When mother had too many children to look after, the older ones took over the burden. Most mothers were at home, so mom could call on other moms if and when necessary - and the whole community supported one another.
My next theory is linked to the above one as it embraces the isolation which can be achieved in this new world of technology. If one wants to, one can stay away from physical contact with other human beings. In this way, people might land up losing basic social skills, and acting in a way that is not acceptable when they do, from time to time, come into contact with others. A psychologist or therapist would be an obvious answer for such a person as his (her) job would be to provide unconditional support to the person, and help the client to cope with stressors facing him (her) everyday.
I don't believe that my opinion has changed at all - it has merely encompassed more and more factors. Obviously, with age, one comes to see things in a more complicated way, and I am beginning to understand that the role of the psychologist is more than just "being there" for a client. There is more to therapy than support.
In fact, after reading Daniel Goleman's book "Emotional IQ", I certainly had a lot of thinking to do. He quotes research showing how violent individuals have become over the past generation. He truly believes that people need to concentrate on building up their emotional IQ - and it is his belief that our present way of life is not conducive towards this. I was fascinated by his book - and totally taken in by most of his arguments. (Those I disagree with will have to be a subject for another article at a later stage, when I have thought them through sufficiently).
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