[Positive and Negative]: Solo living

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Positives: 

Can have more time to think – for academics or creatives – can focus on work more effectively 

More freedom – especially for youngsters – less supervision from parents 

Negatives: 

More expensive – have no one to share living expenses with, typically food when buying in bulk is cheaper / also housemates or roommates can share rent 

For those who do not already have a social life this can close them off from society -> lead to depression since they can’t share their difficulties with others.  

In case of the elderly, no one takes care of them -> can be dangerous in case of an emergency such as falling or health issues 

In recent years, it has become commonplace for many to live by themselves. In my opinion, the shortcomings of this development ultimately surpass its benefits. 

On the one hand, it is understandable why some might choose to live alone. Firstly, this would mean more freedom, especially for youngsters. Without the watchful eyes of their parents, young adults or teens who first move out can organize social gatherings with friends, sleep late or play video games whenever they see fit. This, undoubtedly, would make life much more enjoyable, especially for youths who grew up in an oppressive household. Secondly, people would have more time to think. Thanks to the quiet environment, academics and artists can focus solely on their work, which means they could work more effectively.

On the other hand, I would argue that the challenges from this way of life are ultimately more overwhelming. For one, it is more expensive to live alone. Without family members or roommates to share the accommodation or food costs, most young people at an early stage of their career would have a tremendous financial burden. Furthermore, those who move out by themselves would lack the emotional support typically found when residing with their family, and this sense of isolation is one of the leading causes of depression. Finally, it would be challenging for the elderly to receive immediate support in case of an emergency, which means accidents such as falls or house fires can be fatal for these individuals. 

All in all, while living solo can be positive for some, it brings many drawbacks for others. Personally, because of the severity of its demerits, I would conclude that this is an overall negative development.

Watchful eyes of parents (phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Sự quan sát của bố mẹ
• Example sentence: “He left home late at night to escape the watchful eyes of his parents”
• Vietnamese translation: “Anh ấy rời khỏi nhà muộn để tránh sự quan sát của bố mẹ anh ta”

Whenever they see fit (phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Bất cứ khi nào họ cho là phù hợp
• Example sentence: “Parents can discipline their children whenever they see fit.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Bố mẹ có thể kỷ luật con cái bất cứ khi nào họ cho là phù hợp.”

Oppressive household (noun phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Gia đình áp đặt
• Example sentence: “Living in an oppressive household can have negative effects on mental health.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Sống trong một gia đình áp đặt có thể gây ảnh hưởng tiêu cực đến tâm lý.”

Financial burden (noun phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Gánh nặng tài chính
• Example sentence: “Student loans can become a significant financial burden for young adults.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Khoản vay sinh viên có thể trở thành một gánh nặng tài chính đáng kể đối với thanh niên.”

Emotional support (noun phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Hỗ trợ tinh thần
• Example sentence: “During tough times, having emotional support from friends is crucial.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Trong những thời điểm khó khăn, có sự hỗ trợ tinh thần từ bạn bè là quan trọng.”

Sense of isolation (noun phrase):

• Vietnamese definition: Cảm giác cô lập
• Example sentence: “Being new in a big city can bring a sense of isolation.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Việc mới đến một thành phố lớn có thể mang lại cảm giác cô lập.”

Severity (n):

• Vietnamese definition: Mức độ nghiêm trọng
• Example sentence: “The severity of the punishment should match the severity of the offense.”
• Vietnamese translation: “Mức độ nghiêm trọng của hình phạt nên phản ánh mức độ nghiêm trọng của vi phạm.”