Hikikomori

My biggest surprise about this cultural phenomenon was that, according to one psychiatrist, one million Japanese are shutting themselves in and becoming recluses, or hikikomori. "As a hikikmori ages, the odds that he'll reenter the world decline."

What causes this? Social pressure to fulfill their sex roles in school? Pressure from parents who won't let go? Mainstream media? In any case, Hikikomori cases have become widespread, leading programs like New Start to intervene.

I can't imagine shutting myself in for months or years!

I do not know anyone who has symptoms of this...
I think that many suicidal teens in America could benefit from this. They go through miserable times, like the Hikikomori, but sometimes do not do the extreme and shut themselves in. While indigenous to Japan now, i could see something like this spreading into the United States, especially with our economy.