The Return of the Lonely Crowd

How David Riesman's theory of traditional, inner, and other-directed character types helps explain the new range of psychological symptoms hobbling today’s young people.

If the recent coverage of adolescent psychological health in major newspapers is any indication, our society has produced a generation of children who are deeply depressed, overwhelmed with anxiety, and suicidal. They are also having less sex, and when they do, they are purportedly not enjoying it. While coverage of these trends is increasing, there is …