why does it seem we have gotten far away from caring for each other,neighbors ignore neighbors and friends run

Answer 1

This is an important question. One of the reasons is fear. If you go into a small town where everyone knows each other, and have lived there all their lives, people seem to be friendlier and care more about each other. In a city, or even a large town, people come and go, you don't know the background or history of people, and a caring relationship doesn't have time to grow. There are places, still, that you can move to, live in for 10 years, and still be considered an outsider. We are told from our youth that we should not talk to strangers. We grow up and realize that there are dangerous people disguised as friends. The news, tv, movies and books tell us that predators can live right next door, and we don't know it. We are discouraged from involving ourselves in other peoples' lives, and to fear what others may do to us. Another reason is technology. Television, computers, and video games are individualized. We don't need to socialize with other people for entertainment, or listen to someone tell boring stories, when I can watch MY show, play MY game, go to MY favorite web page. When a person becomes used to thinking only about their own preferences, it becomes difficult to relate to or care about someone else. We are encouraged to help ourselves FIRST. And then there is our living environment. Our environment changes so rapidly, and the demands on our lives have grown so much, that we can barely keep up with our own daily lives, let alone concern ourselves with the people around us. Everyone has problems, and the more we isolate ourselves from others, the less we want to hear about their problems. "Everyone has a story". We realize that nobody wants to listen to our problems, and we don't want to hear theirs, either. There is a large percentage of people who have become selfish, insensitive, and self-centered.

Answer 2

I will tell you a true story, many, many years ago, I worked at a hospital. A man was coming in he looked like he was drunk or something, I just pointed where the emergency room was and hurried out to go and pick up my child from school.
The next day, I returned to work, I had to make the rounds, and guess who I see in one of the rooms, that same man that I thought was a drunk guy. He was not drunk, he had glass in his eyes. I have told this story here before, because it still affects me for the way I acted. I should have taken that man by the hand and taken him directly to the emergency room. I did not because I was too concern with what I had to do. I was young at the time, but this does not excuse me for being such an uncaring person. I told the man, it was me, who he had asked and I truly apologize to him. I will never forgive myself for what I did, and that changed my life forever. Now if someone needs help even a stranger I do stop and help. I know that I might get in situations that I should not be, but I figure God will protect me. But I will never again do what I did then. What a lesson to learn, I am 55 years old and this happened when I was around 24 years old and still remember how ignorant I was then. We do need to help each other.

Answer 3

It only seems that way because we strive to have all the things we want so what time we have to ourselves we are greedy and just dont take time to visit a neighbor,friend ,etc. But all is not lost look when something bad happens and all the neighbors and friends and family are there to help.We dont here the good news often enough but this world is still full of good people.!

Answer 4

Technology this started after the technological age began. Exp. the internet, this site, chat rooms.

Also, we have become a very selfish people, caring only about what is ours, protecting that which isn't selfish there are wierdos next door you never know do you so people figure why chance it and its hard to maintain friendships on both ends some people just don't want to try so they stay in front of their tv, computer, ext.

Answer 5

For one you hardly ever get a neighbor who can be considered a good neighbor. Example alot of people are inconsiderate, and nosey. You hardly find the neighbor who comes to welcome you to the neighborhood, check on you to see if you need anything and/or just invite you over. Plus when they do this you have to be skeptical because 8 out of 10 times the people who do come now just want to be nosey, find out all of your business, ask to borrow stuff, feel like they can come over at any time, or bring drama over.

Answer 6

Interestingly enough, I had a lengthy conversation about this matter earlier today. The person with whom I spoke brought up some very valid points. He mentioned that America has become a society devoid of solidarity because we are always competing with one another; we always look at life as a zero-sum game and come up with innovative ways to "one-up" the next man so as to gain a competitive edge. This attitude is more prevalent in Westernized societies than it is elsewhere, according to my well-traveled friend.

Furthermore, selfishness is so ingrained in our culture, and this selfishness comes at the expense of selflessness. We are indoctrinated from an early age to value material possessions and lustful desires over meaningful relationships. And you cannot possibly escape it; it is ubiquitous in the Western World and you will be affected one way or another. Even if YOU are able to see the perils of mass consumerism, someone close to you won't be able to. Your wife will be brainwashed to believe that she is not "special" if she doesn't receive an expensive diamond ring from De Beers like that guy on the commercials. Your daughter, after watching one too many "Sweet 16" episodes, may think you are not a "loving father" because you didn't buy her a Mercedes for her 16th birthday. Your peers (e.g. friends or neighbors) may ridicule you because you don't drive the flashiest car, own the latest technological gadgets, or watch the games on a high-definition television with surround sound. Everyone is competing with one another, even over consumer products like cars and TVs, and this has fueled 20-21st Century capitalism (marketing majors are required to take psychology courses for a reason). Not surprisingly, marriage, family relationships, friendships and community have gone by the wayside and will only deteriorate further before it ever gets better. But as long as we have our flashy toys and (demanding) trophy wives/children to show off to all our "friends" and fill the voids in our lives, who gives a hoot about meaningful interpersonal relationships, right? Welcome to America in the 21st Century!

Other contributing factors are overpopulation, living in a time-starved society, and the contagiousness of selfishness (Lori S below me said it well: "Everyone has a story. We realize that nobody wants to listen to our problems, and we don't want to hear theirs, either.")

The world is becoming increasingly competitive and it has become increasingly difficult to stay afloat and “keep up with the Joneses.” For instance, a Master’s degree today is worth what a Bachelor’s degree was worth yesterday. And as you consume more time and energy on remaining competitive (you’ve gotta eat, right?), you have less time and energy left to be genuinely concerned about others.

America has become a soulless society. I believe it is possible for the majority of people in a secular society to care for one another, but it isn't going to happen anytime soon on this sinking ship known as America. It saddens me, a member of the "Me Jr. Generation", to talk to elderly people who actually lived during a time when most people truly looked out for one another.

Answer 7

My guess would be because we have become a society that reports each other to Child Protective Services if we see a parent discipline their child and we think they are abusing them; we report abuse if we see the slightest infraction, no matter how little. We have turned a blind eye to what is going on and we don't want to get involved anymore, because when we do, we always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop - we are accused of not minding our own business and of interfering.

Answer 8

Cause there a big pain in the butt,when you show them you care,they keep on bringing there troubles to you door.Borrowing your stuff and breaking it.
and we all have to work so damn hard to survive or get a head that we can't afford problems for free,we all have our own and very seldom do people return favors.If your lucky enough to have a good nieghbor that's a true friend you just won the lottery,cause just look how hard it is to find a true friend anywhere.

Answer 9

Because we connect differently now. Why aren't you asking your next door neighbor this question? I can play chess all night with some kid in China, but I don't know my neighbors. Everyone is this way, less so in rural areas. Sad, isn't it?

Answer 10

Because we have succumbed to the built in social destractions in our society of radio, television etc that make it easier to loose yourself in the media than to socialize with other people. People in some factions even in the present day world are much more socially integrated than others...eg Amish, but they have largely thrown out these built in distractions. Then too, trust is harder these days with looming criminal elements that put people on the defensive. More of this is evident because of the mass use of the broadcast media.