Humans Remain Social Beings

About fifteen years ago, prompted by the publication of Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone book, social scientists were pontificating about the increasing social isolation of Americans.

Putnam cited a variety of studies on the decline of community organizations and activities.  As captured in his book’s catchy title, people were dropping out of the weekly leagues, for instance, that had been a staple of small town group gatherings.  Now, people are bowling, and doing other things, alone.

 

There can be no question that, if anything, the trend has intensified in the past decade and a half.

Electronic devices for entertainment and communication are obviously everywhere.  Their use, of course, doesn’t extend the hours of the day so there’s less time for in-person contact.

To be sure, people still have contact with others but the form is changing.  In-person to voice to text.

But I suggest that virtual contact is not the same.  Humans desire – need – direct, supportive, emotional involvement.

Traditionally, families have met that need.  However, disintegration of families in recent decades is a well-documented fact.  Are victims of family dissolutions or ill formations more likely to be among those seeking virtual relationships?

 

Is the popularity of “bowling alone” activity a response to the void or a cause of it, or both?

What is undeniable is that people strive to find emotionally fulfilling contact and fellow humans needn’t be the only source.

It can’t be merely coincidental that since 1970 (on the eve of the broad computer age) American pet ownership has grown from one third to over fifty percent today.

Can a society long survive if its members find more comfort and solace among the inhabitants of the animal world than with fellow humans? 

 

Particularly alarming is another observation.  It appears that the growth in pet ownership is not confined to the U.S.  It has occurred also in Europe and may be related to the broad decline in the birth rate there.  Is a dog’s unconditional affection a desirable alternative to the demands of raising children?  Isn’t the need to produce the next generation supposed to be an undeniable demand of human nature?