Why Americans Stopped Hanging Out—and Why It Matters
Feb 27, 2024
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Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist and director at NYU's Institute for Public Knowledge, dives into America’s alarming decline in face-to-face socializing. He reveals that from 2003 to 2022, interactions plummeted by 30%, especially among teens. Klinenberg discusses how digital media affects loneliness and the surprising idea that Americans may not be lonelier than ever. He also highlights the importance of social infrastructure and community connectivity, drawing lessons from past crises to emphasize the need for rebuilding social ties.
Americans have reduced face-to-face socializing by 30% since 2003, with steeper declines among unmarried individuals and teenagers.
Americans now spend more time with their pets than with other humans, indicating a shift in social priorities.
Social infrastructure, such as libraries and parks, plays a vital role in fostering community connections and public health, as seen in examples from Finland and Chicago.
Deep dives
Decline in Face-to-Face Socializing in America
From 2003 to 2022, American adults reduced their average hours of face-to-face socializing by about 30 percent. This decline is more significant for unmarried Americans, with a reduction of over 35 percent, and for teenagers, with a decrease of more than 45 percent. Face-to-face interactions have decreased across all demographics and predate the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the steepest declines have been observed among poor people and Black Americans.
Shift towards Pet Interaction over Human Socializing
A striking trend reveals that Americans are spending more time with their pets than with fellow humans. The average time spent with pets has doubled in the last 20 years. Surprisingly, data shows that women with pets now spend more time actively engaged with their animals than interacting face-to-face with other humans. This shift suggests a significant change in how individuals allocate their time, with pets taking precedence over human social interactions.
Impact of Social Infrastructure on Community Well-Being
The concept of social infrastructure, representing community spaces like libraries, cafes, and parks, significantly influences social connections and well-being. Research during the lethal heat wave in Chicago in 1995 highlighted the varied mortality rates in neighborhoods with contrasting social infrastructure. Neighborhoods with robust social infrastructure showed greater cohesion and interaction, leading to higher survival rates and increased life expectancy. Comparing American longevity with Europe's, the presence of social infrastructure in other countries exemplifies its positive impact on public health and communal engagement.
Emphasis on Finland's Symbol of Social Infrastructure - Uda Library
Finland's approach to social cohesion and infrastructure is highlighted through the example of the Uda library in Helsinki. The Finnish government's commitment to fostering a sense of community led to the creation of this innovative library, designed to accommodate diverse social needs. By offering unique spaces for various demographics, including those without homes, the Uda library symbolizes inclusivity and support for all citizens. The library's extended opening hours reflect Finland's dedication to accessibility and the promotion of social cohesion.
Impact of Social Policy Shift on American Social Infrastructure
The discussion delves into how a shift in social policy in the US since the 1970s has affected the country's social infrastructure. Historically, the US invested in public goods like libraries, parks, and cultural institutions, fostering a sense of community. However, recent decades have seen a decline in public investments, leading to a diminished quality of life and social cohesion. This shift in policy, influenced by economic and political factors, has contributed to the erosion of America's once robust social infrastructure.
Today’s episode is about the extraordinary decline in face-to-face socializing in America—and the real stakes of the country’s hanging-out crisis.
From 2003 to 2022, American adults reduced their average hours of face-to-face socializing by about 30 percent. For unmarried Americans, the decline was even bigger—more than 35 percent. For teenagers, it was more than 45 percent.
Eric Klinenberg is a sociologist and the director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is the author of several books on the rise of living alone and the decline of social infrastructure. His latest is _'_2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed.' And he's not afraid to challenge the popular notion of an epidemic of loneliness in America. “There is no good evidence that Americans are lonelier than ever," he has written. Today, Eric and I talk about teens and parenting, the decline of hanging out, why America sucks at building social infrastructure, and why aloneness isn’t always loneliness.
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