A new study reports Americans have fewer friends than 20 years ago. It also shows that the number of people who say they don?t have anyone with whom to discuss important issues has more than doubled in that time. So while millions of people freelydisclose intimate details of their lives on social networking Web sites like MySpace.com and on talk shows, they can?t connect with one another in real life.
“This change indicates something that is not good for our society. Ties with a close network of people create a safety net. These ties also lead to civic engagement and local political action,” said one of the study?s authors, Lynn Smith-Lovin of Duke University.
Researchers speculate that longer work hours and access to the Internet may have contributed to the decline in close confidantes.
But maybe it?s something more fundamental.
Late British author and theologian C.S. Lewis said, “Eros will have naked bodies; friendship naked personalities.”
Being honest and open with one another is difficult. More work and the Internet may amplify the degree of difficulty in forming and maintaining friendships, but they don?t change the reason behind them.
This study should prod people to turn off the computer and pick up the phone, get in the car or hop on a plane to spend time with people who make their lives richer and more rewarding.
Dr. Phil and so-called “friends” who link to your Web site won?t go to baseball games with you or come over to watch movies and celebrate when your children are born. Friends do.
