"There are weeks, I just talk to the delivery person" - the story of an English woman on the Guardian not only reflects a sad reality but also makes many people startled to look back at their lives. In the middle of the technological boom, when social networks help us connect with thousands of people, will friendship really become more fragile or just change form?
How is the friendship change?
According to the 2021 survey of American Survey Center, the proportion of Americans without close friends increased from 3% in 1990 to 12% after more than two decades. At the same time, a group of more than 10 close friends decreased from 33% to only 13%. This shows that the close friends of many people are increasingly narrowing. Not only a close number of close friends, the time for friends is less. According to Zme Science, an American average now spends less than 3 hours a week to meet friends, while a decade ago, this figure was more than 6 hours. In the UK, the Guardian survey showed that 40% of adults only met friends several times a year.
This data caused a leader in the US Government's health authority, Vivek Murthy, who once warned: "We are facing a lonely pandemic." He emphasized that half of the American adults feel isolated in life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic loneliness may increase the risk of depression, immunodeficiency and cardiovascular disease, even affecting the life of sucking 15 cigarettes a day.
However, not all data are negative. A study from Pew Research Center shows that the average number of close friends of each person remains stable for decades, about 4-5 people. This shows that people still maintain friendship, only the way to connect has changed.
Is the friendship important like friendship and love?
One of the common misconceptions is that friendship is not as important as friendship or love for men and women. But in fact, friendship plays an essential role in human life, even no less than the two types of emotions mentioned above. According to research by Harvard University, USA, people with durable friendships tend to live longer and happier.
Dr. Robert Waldinger, the leader, said: "Good relationships make people happier and live longer." Another study by Associate Professor Danu Stinson at Victoria University, Canada, showed that 66% of love relationships originated from long -term friendship. This proves that friendship is not only a part of life but also the foundation for love.
On the Guardian, a middle -aged woman in the UK shared that after the divorce, she felt extremely lonely. No more intimate conversations like before, she realized that she had lost a connection with many old friends. However, after actively joining local community groups, she suddenly built new sustainable friendships.
Another story from the BBC tells the friendship between journalists Helen Pidd and Alexandra Topping. They used to be close friends who did not leave during the 20s. But when Helen married and had children, and Alexandra was single, they began to be separated. "Sometimes I feel jealous when Helen has a happy family, and I am single," Alexandra admitted. But they also realized that friendships do not need to meet regularly to sustain, just keep understanding and ready together when needed. These stories reflect the fact that friendship does not lose but only changes according to the living situation.
Technology: Enemy or allies of friendship?
The development of technology has changed the way we connect with friends. Social networks help keep contact with loved ones far away but can also make friendship superficial. One study showed that people are increasingly spending time on social networks but few have really meaningful conversations.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is even used to create a "virtual companion" that can talk to users 24/7. But who can talk to a real friend's warm feeling? Experts assert that, no matter how developed technology, people still need real interactions to maintain cohesion and happiness.
However, if used properly, technology can still support friendship. VR applications help friends from far away to meet in a virtual space. Online community groups can help find friends with the same hobby. It is important that we use technology to nurture friendship, not to replace it.
Keeping friendship in a busy world
Maintaining friendship in modern society is not easy. The hustle and bustle of life, busy work and changes in life make many people gradually separated. However, friendship is still an important part to help people feel the feeling of cohesion and sharing. So how to maintain these relationships?
Friendship needs to be cultivated as a tree. Actively spending time with friends is important, instead of just waiting for "free time". Those who are happy to get old are those who know how to maintain a network of friends. Maintain regular contacts through messages, calls, birthday wishes or small sharing in life to help friendship rope not fade.
Sharing common hobbies is a way to maintain connections, such as participating in reading groups, sports or social activities. When meeting each other, taking the phone aside to the whole mind also contributes to make the friendship more durable.
In addition to maintaining old friends, expanding your friends' circle is also quite important. A new friend can bring new experiences and maybe they will become a soul mate in the future.
Many experts predict that friendship will continue to change in digital era, but its nature will not disappear. The New York Times quoted researcher Zeynep TeFekci saying that social networks could help connect but could not replace direct meetings. "You may have thousands of friends on Facebook but it is important that anyone is ready to be with you when you need it or not."
After the Covid-19 epidemic, many realized the value of direct relationships. According to Pew Research Center, the number of people seeking to improve friendships has increased significantly. This shows that, no matter how developed technology, people still need real connectivity.
Friendship may change over time but it is still an integral part of human life. If you feel more and more lonely, take the initiative to find old connections or open your heart to new friendships. As the woman only talked to the above -mentioned delivery person: "It is never too late to make friends. Sometimes, a simple message can bring two people back together." Try picking up the phone and texting a friend that you have not contacted for a long time. Who knows, they are also waiting for messages from you!
