[One Sip of a Book] "I Recommend Dying Alone at Home"

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of the book itself, while others instantly reach the reader's heart and create a connection with the book. We introduce such meaningful sentences excerpted from the book. - Editor's note

This is a 2021 hot topic work by Ueno Chizuko, a world-renowned scholar, sociologist, and a leading figure in Japanese feminism. She argues that while in the past it was considered natural to live with one's children, now the perspective has completely reversed to "not living together is the wiser choice." She claims that the most unhappy people are not those who live alone, but those who live with people they do not get along with. For women over 60, she says that happiness levels actually soar when living alone.

The loneliest people are elderly individuals living with family members with whom they do not connect emotionally. In fact, contrary to expectations, the suicide rate among elderly people living with others is higher than that of elderly people living alone. Page 31

But, surprisingly! Singles without children had the highest satisfaction, fewer worries, and lower levels of loneliness and anxiety. Page 32

So far, I have lived pursuing three ideals: ① continuing to live in the same house, ② becoming rich in relationships rather than money, and ③ living freely without depending on others. Page 35

People who died alone had already lived isolated lives while alive. An isolated life led to the outcome of dying alone. If one does not become isolated while alive, there is no need to fear dying alone. It can be said that single women do not need to fear at all because, unlike single men, many single women have a network of friends. Page 84

In just ten years, the common sense about old age has changed 180 degrees. It shifted from "living with children is happiness" to "not living together is wise." It changed from "living alone is pitiful" to "living alone is comfortable." I would like to think that I have played some role in changing that "common sense" (laughs). Page 211

Recommending Dying Alone at Home | Written by Ueno Chizuko | Translated by Lee Joohee | Dongyang Books | 216 pages | 13,500 KRW