Plain English with Derek Thompson Why America is Suffering a 'Friendship Recession'
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Nov 29, 2022 Economist Bryce Ward, an expert on the rise of aloneness in America, dives into the growing trend of solitude across demographics. He discusses the pandemic's role in diminishing friendships, particularly among men, and the emotional barriers to forming new connections. The conversation reveals the alarming loneliness epidemic, especially in youth, and how technology complicates social interactions. Ward emphasizes the crucial link between social relationships and mental health, urging a need for genuine connections in a digital age.
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Rising Alone Time
- Time spent alone has increased across all demographics since 2010, according to American Time Use Survey data.
- This includes all ages, races, genders, and locations, marking a universal shift towards increased alone time.
Millennial Friendship Recession
- More than one-fifth of millennials report having no friends, a higher percentage than any previous generation.
- This trend, combined with other societal factors, suggests a growing issue of loneliness in America.
Loneliness Predictions Come True
- Previous concerns about a "loneliness epidemic" lacked strong evidence in time-use data before 2010.
- Recent data shows a real increase in alone time, validating earlier predictions but with updated evidence.