Why We’re in a Friendship Recession
The biggest headline coming into 2023 is a potential economic recession within the next year or so. With stubbornly high inflation, slower growth, and a weakened consumer spearheaded by mass layoffs particularly by Big Tech coming out of the pandemic — it’s easy to see that we are living in very uncertain times. As if the global pandemic wasn’t already enough.
Yet, as of the date of this post, one can debate about whether or not we are in a true recession if the unemployment rate is still at historic lows. On the other hand, we are actually in a real recession with one aspect — friendship.
Friendship is a fundamental human need that provides a sense of belonging, support, and enjoyment. However, in recent years, there has been a growing concern about a “friendship recession” — a decline in the quality and quantity of friendships that people have. While social media and other forms of technology have made it easier than ever to connect with others, it seems that true, meaningful friendships are becoming harder to come by.
The Rise of Individualism
One reason for this decline in friendships is the rise of individualism in modern society. People are increasingly focused on their own goals and achievements, and less interested in investing time and energy into building relationships with others.
This is especially true among younger generations, who have grown up in a culture that prizes independence and self-sufficiency.
Changing Nature of Work and Leisure Time
Another factor is the changing nature of work and leisure time. Many people are working longer hours than ever before, leaving less time for socializing and building relationships.
At the same time, the rise of technology has led to a culture of constant distraction, making it harder to focus on meaningful interactions with others.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media, while initially hailed as a way to connect people across the globe, has also contributed to the friendship recession. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have made it easier than ever to stay in touch with acquaintances, but they have also made it harder to build and maintain deeper, more meaningful connections. Many people have hundreds or even thousands of online “friends,” but few real-life relationships that they can rely on. If friendship is in a recession, then loneliness is the more dangerous epidemic.
In fact, some surveys have revealed that around 60% of people in the US are experiencing loneliness. From a public health perspective, that is devastating.
The Pandemic Effect
Finally, it’s worth noting that the pandemic has likely played a role in exacerbating the friendship recession. With social distancing measures in place, people have had fewer opportunities to connect with others in person, and many have turned to social media as a substitute. While this has helped some people stay connected, it has also made it harder to build new friendships and maintain existing ones.
It remains to be seen about the long-term impacts of those lockdown years of 2020 and 2021. As it turns out, we have not yet recovered as much as we thought we did.
Reversing the Trend
All of these factors contribute to a growing sense of loneliness and isolation in modern society. While technology has made it easier than ever to connect with others, it seems that true, meaningful friendships are becoming increasingly rare.
To reverse this trend, we need to re-prioritize relationships and make a conscious effort to build and maintain strong connections with others. Whether it’s through joining a club or group, volunteering, or simply reaching out to old friends, there are many ways to combat the friendship recession and build a more connected, supportive community.
