The May 2021 American Perspectives Survey finds that Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support.
Hostile architecture doesn’t help. It has been harder to stay connected since Covid, especially, because there are very few public spaces and even fewer with some protection from the wind or rain. Of those that are left, they aren’t set up for even moderate social distancing or for control over the airflow.
Thinking about it, this is true of private-public spaces, too, like bars, cafés, and restaurants. So it’s hard to meet up if you believe there’s a deadly airborne virus about (as I do).
All this compounds if you’re a caregiver, like a newish mother, single or not, because you have to then find which of the few accessible, safe places allows children, etc. That’s if there’s spare time after going to work, looking after the house, and raising the children.
And/or things (further) compound for people with mental health issues because society tends not to teach people to consider that e.g. loud noises and bright flashing lights, etc, can be difficult for some people.
Hostile architecture doesn’t help. It has been harder to stay connected since Covid, especially, because there are very few public spaces and even fewer with some protection from the wind or rain. Of those that are left, they aren’t set up for even moderate social distancing or for control over the airflow.
Thinking about it, this is true of private-public spaces, too, like bars, cafés, and restaurants. So it’s hard to meet up if you believe there’s a deadly airborne virus about (as I do).
All this compounds if you’re a caregiver, like a newish mother, single or not, because you have to then find which of the few accessible, safe places allows children, etc. That’s if there’s spare time after going to work, looking after the house, and raising the children.
And/or things (further) compound for people with mental health issues because society tends not to teach people to consider that e.g. loud noises and bright flashing lights, etc, can be difficult for some people.