The Downside of Individualism?

 

The term “exceptionalism” rightly applies to America – and usually in positive ways.  We can indeed be proud that the USA is superior to the other nations of the world in so many ways… but not in all.

          *  During 2019-2020, alcohol-related deaths rose by 25% over the preceding time frame, fatal drug overdoses were up 38%.

          *  Suicide rates for the past twenty years have been on an upswing (in contrast, almost everyone else has seen declines).

          *  Young people, especially girls, are increasingly depressed.

 

Why?

We have long celebrated our national commitment to the individual and his rights politically (U.S. Constitution), economically (free enterprise) and socially (freedom from a class consciousness). But, from our early days, we also considered ourselves as social creatures, recognizing our participation in myriad associations with our fellow Americans.  In fact, Alexis de Tocqueville, visiting from France in the 1830s, highlighted the propensity of our forebearers to join together in tasks ranging from self-government to religious worship to community activities.

An observer today would see a different America.  We are much less inclined to join anything or participate in community social activities.  A social scientist used the decline of participation in bowling leagues as an illustration.  (His book on our increasing individual isolation is titled Bowling Alone.”)

What has changed?

With individual rights, comes commensurate responsibility.  We are social beings.  Our health as a society depends upon our participation in activities with others.

Ironically, the internet and social sites like Facebook and Twitter were expected to facilitate increased communication among us all.  Instead, social media, when not promoting hostility to its users, encourages isolation.  Who needs the demands of face-to-face contact?  (Well, actually, we all do.)  In ways that are obviously harmful to us, our focus on individualism has led many to isolation and loneliness. 

And no, social media is not solely to blame.  The drastic decline in trust among us is a major factor.  Our houses of faith, education, neighbors and yes, even government, used to be broadly admired and looked to for guidance.  But now they typically disappoint.  So we draw inward and are increasingly dependent upon our inadequate individual selves… with Facebook as our comfort?

I’m tempted to view what I’ve just written as pointless.  Isn’t the horse long gone from the barn?  But I am an incurable optimist more inclined to refer to John Donne’s pithy 17th century admonition: “No man is an island”.

Each of us has duty to build bridges, stop bemoaning the admittedly sorry state we inhabit and change it.  Now that’s positive individualism!