Why you think that Americans' have fewer friends that they had 20 years ago?

Question

Americans' circle of close friends shrinking By Amanda Beck
Fri Jun 23, 3:04 PM ET



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago, separated by work, commuting and the single life, researchers reported on Friday.



Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said they had "zero" close friends with whom to discuss personal matters. More than 50 percent named two or fewer confidants, most often immediate family members, the researchers said.

"This is a big social change, and it indicates something that's not good for our society," said Duke University Professor Lynn Smith-Lovin, lead author on the study to be published in the American Sociological Review.

Smith-Lovin's group used data from a national survey of 1,500 American adults that has been ongoing since 1972.

She said it indicated people had a surprising drop in the number of close friends since 1985. At that time, Americans most commonly said they had three close friends

Answer 1

i know why i have less friends now then what i had before and its because i think it is harder to trust people anymore. i have been betrayed a lot and i just know that the more friends i have the more there is drama in my life and i dont want any part of that.

Answer 2

First of all, when you are a superpower, you don't have "friends"; you have allies(helpful associations with another). As self interests change, so do "friendships". Keep in mind, this is something that has happened since the first super power. The only difference now is, countries are so economically dependent upon each other, it would be very difficult, if not impossible to defeat a superpower without causing an economic tidal wave around the world.

Answer 3

Because everyone is on a dry drunk power trip to clean up a world they destroyed and now they can't clean it up.
MMM, wow what wisdom, musta come from the Lord.
People trying to force thier will upon the entire world, spreading hate and judgement instead of love and help.
Lawsuits and judicial systems are corrupt, infact the whole world is corrupted by germand and the usa

Answer 4

definite, they're. yet has the image of someone now no longer been re-imaged once you evaluate that then. take the time period metro sexual. maximum "adult males" 20 years contained in the previous does no longer get a nail cutting or be in a tanning booth. Now look at adult males at modern-day. that is conventional gradually more advantageous in metro politan places. i have self belief because the inhabitants grew so did the open mindedness of adult males and women folk.

Answer 5

I think people have become less trustworthy to be considered friends. I think with everybody working, there isn't as much time to get to know others. My husband and I don't hang out with any friends - we love being together and spending time with our families.

Answer 6

Because we spend too much time sitting in front of computers or tv's instead of putting ourselves out there.