Social Isolation "Unhealthy"

The United States of America was founded on the basis of cultural individualism. For the American culture that believes in the “I” identity and not the “we” or “us”, social isolation became one of its core sociology problems. Shankar Vedantam, in her Social Isolation Growing in U.S. article, claims that a new study concluded that we are growing into a more fragmented society, where intimate social ties are shrinking or nonexistent. Therefore, People in our nation today, who are socially isolated, in bad times suffer from loneliness, which indirectly leads to morbidity and in some instances even mortality. There are many things that factor into this social isolation, for example, modern technology, cultural diversity, and the drive for individual achievements.

Intimate social ties, are now replaced by modern technology communications. Emails, chatrooms, telephones, and cable T.V replaced our day to day human interactions. In addition, it is causing us to interact with many people across the globe superficially instead of having a small circle of people that we know very well and trust. The internet, for example, gives people tools to create and illusionary environment that feeds into their social isolation. Moreover, emails, which replaced visiting relatives and friends, are limited in communicating emotions. If you browse through the internet you will find many e-cards websites that readily package for you condolence, congrats, or even ‘I’m sorry’ cards. Emails are not the best way to express feelings, confront people, or even solve a conflict. On the other hand, Internet social networking, not only is it a factor in social isolation, it is a dangerous way to replace human interactions. In these social networks, also known as chatrooms, people do not meet face to face, which can lead to creating illusionary personalities. This way of communication, preferred by many sexual predators, can endanger vulnerable people. Therefore, regardless of its other benefits, this technology is fragmenting families and social circles.

Cable television, in addition to new attitudes toward religion, and a desire for personal and individualistic freedom, induces desires for sexual freedoms, which is now accepted by most young Americans. During the 1960’s, the ideology of “free love”, which is now freely aired on T.V, was touted by radicals. Now, this great discovery of Cable T.V. became a factor for this social isolation problem. For instance, watching T.V or movies in your free time, replaces going out with friends or even having a conversation with your family members. In addition, movies and T.V shows sometimes teaches us wrong approaches to dealing with our problems and gives us wrong pictures of what our lives should look like. Especially romantic movies that paint us an illusionary picture of love cause people to feel even lonelier.

Another factor for the growth of social isolation in the United States is our cultural diversity. The American society encourages people to stand out, be unique and express themselves. This encouraged people from community based cultures to immigrate here. This land is great for people who believe in independence. Generally speaking, diversity is beautiful, when a person goes to the mall or even stands in a grocery store line they will see different customs, looks, and sometimes even hear different languages. Americans in urban cities generally are friendly. But at the same time the majority has a fear from foreigners and minority groups. This fear widens the cultural gaps making the problem even worse. People from different cultures, especially recent immigrants, are committed to their own personal beliefs and cultures, therefore impeding the process of blending in. Furthermore, after the event of September 11 many Americans are even more afraid of foreigners. This fear has helped fragment social ties between Americans and immigrants, and increases the rate of social isolation.

Last but not least, spending too much time at work is a factor in this social isolation problem. In a culture that believes that relying or being dependent on others for survival is shameful, people are encouraged to have their own personal achievements and to rely on themselves. In Shankar Vednatam’s article, Social isolation growing in U.S., Smith-Lovin claimed that increased professional responsibilities, including working two or more jobs to make ends meet, and long commutes leave many people too exhausted to seek social, as well as family connections. Most Americans are workaholic, either because they love to work to achieve their personal goals, or because they live in an individualistic society, therefore, they must work in order to survive. In both cases, workers became more and more isolated from society. Those on the top 20% of the population are addicted to work just as a drug addict in need of his drug. They can spend hours and hours at the office without thinking about going and spend that time with their family, watch television, or even talk to their friends. Being a workaholic leads to high levels of stress, nervousness, and even anxiety. This top percentage of society usually is financially stable, but they still choose to work harder and for longer hours to earn more money. The middle class and the poor in this country are forced to work more than one jobs, and for longer hours to provide for their families, also leading to high levels of stress. Therefore, regardless of why people work, in ends up isolating people from normal everyday life interactions.

To conclude, during these past decades social isolation is increasing because of these three factors, modern technology, cultural diversity which leads to not trusting one another, and spending too much time at work to the point where they end up not having anytime left for their social life. Therefore, I think Americans should consciously make an effort to minimally use modern technology. In addition, living in communities that encourages and facilitates neighbor to neighbor interactions might help concealing this fragmented society. For the top class in society consciously working only the required hours and valuing family will solve the social isolation problem. On the other hand, I personally think that raising the minimum wage would help the poor and middle class people work fewer hours and make time for their social life.