A History of Homesickness: Susan Matt at TEDxWaterloo 2013

Summary

This transcript explores the evolution of homesickness, from a serious medical condition to a modern sign of weakness. Through the story of Katherine Lan Fur and historical examples, the speaker highlights how homesickness was once viewed as a physical ailment that could lead to death, particularly among migrants and soldiers. Over time, societal attitudes shifted, influenced by rising mobility and individualism, leading to the marginalization of homesickness. Despite this, the speaker argues that homesickness persists in everyday life through food, media, and communication, showing the enduring human connection to home and family, even in a mobile world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Homesickness was once considered a serious physical condition with dangerous symptoms, including fevers and heart palpitations.
• 😀 In the past, people often died from nostalgia, particularly in historical accounts from the Americas and Western Europe.
• 😀 The attitude toward homesickness has changed over time, with modern views focusing on individualism and discouraging displays of emotion.
• 😀 Historical records show that many early settlers, such as Puritans and colonists to the Americas, frequently returned home due to homesickness.
• 😀 Pioneers in the 19th century, often celebrated for their ruggedness, were actually emotionally affected by homesickness, with some even returning east from the West.
• 😀 Gold miners in the 19th century were often sentimental and homesick, crying over letters from home and longing for familiar comforts.
• 😀 Songs like 'Home Sweet Home' were so emotionally powerful during the 19th century that they were banned by armies because they exacerbated homesickness.
• 😀 During the Civil War, homesickness among soldiers led to high rates of medical concern, with some soldiers seeking discharges to return home for health reasons.
• 😀 In the early 20th century, the view of homesickness shifted from being a noble emotion to one that was considered a sign of weakness or dependency.
• 😀 Child psychologists in the 20th century promoted preparing children for separation from home through practices like sending them to summer camp to help them adapt to mobility and independence.

Q & A

What was Katherine Lan Fur's experience when she moved to New York City in 2004?

Katherine Lan Fur felt lonely and sad in her first days in Manhattan. To cheer herself up, she went to get a manicure, where the manicurist, a Korean woman, told her not to be a 'big baby' when she expressed feeling homesick.

What does the phrase 'don't be a big baby' represent in the context of the script?

The phrase 'don't be a big baby' represents the modern attitude towards homesickness, which views it as a sign of weakness and immaturity, suggesting that individuals should be able to easily move away from home without emotional distress.

How has homesickness been historically understood, according to the script?

Historically, homesickness was viewed not just as a feeling but as a physical condition with symptoms like lesions, fevers, and heart palpitations. It was so serious that it could be fatal, and the only known cure was to return home.

Why did people in the 19th century experience homesickness, according to the script?

In the 19th century, people experienced homesickness due to the challenges of migration, especially among colonists, pioneers, and gold miners. Many settlers returned home because of emotional distress, and even those who stayed often sought to recreate familiar surroundings.

What role did plants like lilacs play in homesickness during the 19th century?

Lilacs were popular among homesick migrants because they were familiar and comforting. People would bring them to new locations and plant them to make their new surroundings resemble the homes they left behind.

How did governments and military forces address homesickness in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, both the Canadian and U.S. governments acknowledged homesickness as a significant issue. For example, military bands were banned from playing music that reminded soldiers of home, and soldiers who suffered from homesickness were given medical attention or even furloughs to return home.

How did societal views on homesickness change in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, societal views shifted towards seeing homesickness as a weakness. The rise of national and international corporations and militaries, as well as new psychological theories, emphasized independence and mobility, discouraging emotional attachments and longings for home.

What psychological advice was given to parents in the early 20th century regarding their children?

Psychologists like John Watson advised parents not to show too much affection to their children. They suggested that children should be prepared for emotional detachment by being taught not to form strong emotional connections, making it easier for them to leave home as adults.

What is the significance of the 'don't be a big baby' attitude towards homesickness in modern society?

The 'don't be a big baby' attitude reflects the modern emphasis on individualism, where emotional attachment to home is seen as a hindrance to success, mobility, and the flexibility needed in capitalist society.

How does homesickness persist in modern life despite societal discouragement of emotional attachment?

Homesickness persists in subtle ways, such as through the foods immigrants eat, the TV programs they watch, the sports teams they support, and the phone calls they make to maintain connections with family and home, despite the societal pressures to be detached and mobile.