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06-23-2006, 10:30 PM | #1 |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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Americans' circle of close friends shrinking
I found this article interesting. I always wondered why my dad didn't go hang out with friends at the bar like every other TV family dad.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/06/23...eut/index.html WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago, separated by work, commuting and the single life, researchers reported on Friday. Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said they had "zero" close friends with whom to discuss personal matters. More than 50 percent named two or fewer confidants, most often immediate family members, 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 on the study to be published in the American Sociological Review. Smith-Lovin's group used data from a national survey of 1,500 American adults that has been ongoing since 1972. She said it indicated people had a surprising drop in the number of close friends since 1985. At that time, Americans most commonly said they had three close friends whom they had known for a long time, saw often, and with whom they shared a number of interests. They were almost as likely to name four or five friends, and the relationships often sprang from their neighborhoods or communities. Ties to a close network of friends create a social safety net that is good for society, and for the individual. Research has linked social support and civic participation to a longer life, Smith-Lovin said. People were not asked why they had fewer intimate ties, but Smith-Lovin said that part of the cause could be that Americans are working more, marrying later, having fewer children, and commuting longer distances. The data also show the social isolation trend mirrors other class divides: Non-whites and people with less education tend to have smaller social networks than white Americans and the highly educated. That means that in daily life, personal emergencies and national disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, those with the fewest resources also have the fewest personal friends to call for advice and assistance. "It's one thing to know someone and exchange e-mails with them. It's another thing to say, 'Will you give me a ride out of town with all of my possessions and pets? And can I stay with you for a couple or three months?" Smith-Lovin said. "Worrying about social isolation is not a matter of nostalgia for a warm and cuddly past. Real things are strongly connected with that," added Harvard University Public Policy Professor Robert Putnam, author of "Bowling Alone," a book on the decline of American community. He suggested flexible work schedules would allow Americans to tend both personal and professional lives. |
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06-23-2006, 10:41 PM | #2 |
Apocalyptic Poster
Posts: 3,230
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See guys. You're not so different afterall. Unless you are white.
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06-23-2006, 10:59 PM | #3 |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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wrong board
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06-23-2006, 11:00 PM | #4 | |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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Quote:
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06-23-2006, 11:02 PM | #5 |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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no i meant wrong board as in no one on the entire netphorian forums gives a shit
i'd recommend a board where faggotry was accepted |
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06-23-2006, 11:03 PM | #6 | |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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Quote:
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06-23-2006, 11:04 PM | #7 |
Demi-God
Location: a well wisher
Posts: 291
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hm, i can definitely relate to most friendless americans then.
even america- meaning the united states as a whole- is quite friendless at the moment. i cant think of one country that likes us besides japan. i dont even know if they like us though. |
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06-23-2006, 11:05 PM | #8 |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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see if Billex can relate to the subject it's a subject of faggotry
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06-23-2006, 11:06 PM | #9 |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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billex do you put you dick in guys asses?
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06-23-2006, 11:07 PM | #10 |
Demi-God
Location: a well wisher
Posts: 291
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nope.
DENIED. |
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06-23-2006, 11:08 PM | #11 |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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If you had a penis would you?
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06-23-2006, 11:11 PM | #12 |
Demi-God
Location: a well wisher
Posts: 291
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maybe with a girl.
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06-23-2006, 11:14 PM | #13 |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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what if you had to do a blind taste test?
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06-23-2006, 11:18 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Location: In my house.
Posts: 14,464
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we need to solve this like we have every other crisis - "War for friends". The government, of course, could just mandate that everyone have at least three close friends! Those that don't can go to government socialization classes. Those who have more than 5 close friends can get a "national friendship initiative" tax credit. How great would that be for America!!!!
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06-23-2006, 11:19 PM | #15 | |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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Quote:
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06-23-2006, 11:20 PM | #16 |
cibohplaicos
Posts: 10,308
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I'll be your friend if you promise not to shoot me.
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06-23-2006, 11:21 PM | #17 | |
Demi-God
Location: a well wisher
Posts: 291
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Quote:
or is that the point. |
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06-23-2006, 11:21 PM | #18 |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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billex and clint take your sodomic ramblings to another thread
edit: actually the billex stuff is kind of a hot countermelody to this otherwise serious thread |
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06-23-2006, 11:23 PM | #19 |
Demi-God
Location: a well wisher
Posts: 291
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hey. you were the one who asked if i put my penis in other men's butts.
dont make me post the facts. edit: thanks for the compliment, however. |
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06-23-2006, 11:31 PM | #20 |
Minion of Satan
Location: standard hotel accommodation
Posts: 9,398
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i have a rather large group of people whom i would close friends. but i lack the ability to sustain any meaningful romantic relationships with a member of the opposite sex.
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06-23-2006, 11:34 PM | #21 | |
Minion of Satan
Posts: 6,302
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Quote:
you realise she can't even drive yet correct? |
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06-23-2006, 11:36 PM | #22 | |
Immortal
Posts: 25,684
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Quote:
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