I always like Daniel's posts, but I think the simplest explanation is that the decline of predominantly male spaces is the biggest single factor in the friendship recession. I find it extremely difficult to believe that men who grew up in the 1920s, 1930s, 40s, and 50s were more in touch with their feelings, more vulnerable, and consequently better at maintaining friendships. The decline of predominantly male jobs like the military, truckers, miners, dockworkers, along with the rise of mixed gender workplaces has left young men with less opportunities. If religious attendance declines, less young men get married, participation in fraternal orders like the Elks, Lions Club declines, then I'd expect social networks to narrow. Colleges used to be overwhelmingly male, with associated fraternities on campus, but women are now 60% of college freshmen. A significant number of progressives, especially progressive women imo are deeply uncomfortable with the idea of largely male spaces like fraternities or even Boy Scouts, because they see them as evidence of sexism and discrimination, or worse as bastions of misogyny and hazing and other seemingly unsavory activities. Young men just have less opportunities to become friends with other guys than in the past.
Wow, love this! Thank you for sharing. As a person who struggles with friendships it’s a very important reminder about the crucial role they play in life. Love how you talked about focusing on the quantity as well. I think often about how people neglect to view their coworkers as friends even when they spend 8 hours a day experiencing life with them! Also love how you point out the importance of strong civic institutions. Big fan of yours so far!
America's "Friendship Recession" Is Weakening Civic Life
I always like Daniel's posts, but I think the simplest explanation is that the decline of predominantly male spaces is the biggest single factor in the friendship recession. I find it extremely difficult to believe that men who grew up in the 1920s, 1930s, 40s, and 50s were more in touch with their feelings, more vulnerable, and consequently better at maintaining friendships. The decline of predominantly male jobs like the military, truckers, miners, dockworkers, along with the rise of mixed gender workplaces has left young men with less opportunities. If religious attendance declines, less young men get married, participation in fraternal orders like the Elks, Lions Club declines, then I'd expect social networks to narrow. Colleges used to be overwhelmingly male, with associated fraternities on campus, but women are now 60% of college freshmen. A significant number of progressives, especially progressive women imo are deeply uncomfortable with the idea of largely male spaces like fraternities or even Boy Scouts, because they see them as evidence of sexism and discrimination, or worse as bastions of misogyny and hazing and other seemingly unsavory activities. Young men just have less opportunities to become friends with other guys than in the past.
Wow, love this! Thank you for sharing. As a person who struggles with friendships it’s a very important reminder about the crucial role they play in life. Love how you talked about focusing on the quantity as well. I think often about how people neglect to view their coworkers as friends even when they spend 8 hours a day experiencing life with them! Also love how you point out the importance of strong civic institutions. Big fan of yours so far!
Thanks for your research Dan. I’m actually citing it in my forthcoming book in my social anthropological take on friendship decline...