The many faces of social withdrawal in Hikikomori

Abstract

This paper discusses socially withdrawn youths’ posts on an internet forum. We explore their situation and ask what are the challenges preventing them to participate into society. We use the capability approach as our viewpoint, wanting to pinpoint the youths’ realized capabilities to join in and feel included, as opposed to the opportunities society provides them. The problems with mental health, social anxieties and frustration towards society were identified as reasons for social withdrawal, indicating that the participants do not feel like their skills and persona is appreciated by the society.