In the era of cell phones, email, and MySpace you might think that Americans are more connected to their closest friends than ever. But in fact, they’re more alone. At least that’s the conclusion of new research.
According to the new study, one in four Americans say they have no one to talk to about their personal problems. Twice as many people as two decades ago. It’s an alienation exacerbated perhaps by long, lonely commutes, longer work hours, two-career families, and the rise of the Internet.
The fear is that this growing social isolation is fraying Americans’ emotional safety nets — even threatening their physical well-being.
Hear what it means when so many Americans feel so alone.
Guests:
Lynn Smith-Lovin, Sociologist at Duke University and co-author of the study “Social Isolation in America” published in American Sociological Review
Jacqueline Olds, Psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School and co-author of
“Overcoming Loneliness in Everyday Life”
Bernice Pescosolido, Medical Sociologist at Indiana University and Director of the Indiana Consortium for Mental Health Services Research.
I just googled “lonely Americans” and came across this posting. I have to totally agree: life in America is very lonely. I’ll be honest: I’m a lonely person. Sure, I go out with friends in the week, work, to to the health club, etc. But still I’m essentially alone in my life. I don’t know what the solution is to this problem. I think modern society tends to isolate people: if you’re single you spend most of your non-working time sequestered in your flat. In a way it’s an isolation chamber…you sit in it and watch TV…surf the web…send email…and it sucks.
Being lonely sucks.
Posted by stephen, on February 28th, 2009 at 5:59 pm EST