Americans’ Social Isolation Decried
From Times Wire Services
Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago, separated by work, commuting and single life, researchers reported.
Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said they had “zero” close friends with whom to discuss personal matters. More than 50% named two or fewer confidants, 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 of the study, which used data from a national survey of 1,500 adults that has been ongoing since 1972.
