I read a study recently about how friendships between adults have changed in recent years. I thought it might be something different for us to talk about.

It’s too long to post entirely in screenshots, but I’ll put the title and info at the bottom if anyone wants to read in full.

A few of my main takeaways to sum up though. People have fewer close friends now than in the past. Our family connections have strengthened while we form fewer outside bonds. At least some of our friendships are online only vs. in person. 12% of us have no close friends at all.

I’m always bad at coming up with a single question. I feel like I write assignments for papers instead. 😂😂😂 Feel free to answer any or all of the bullet points, or to go in another direction entirely with it.

A few points for discussion:

•What has led to the drop in friendship networks?

•Do you feel satisfied with the friendships you have in both quality and quantity?

•Do you find your friendships changing as you get older?

•Are online friendships equally as fulfilling as in person friendships?

•Do you find the need to form close bonds beyond your SO/family.

•Is there anything you wish was different about friendship today.

* The paper only surveyed Americans, but I know our community is more diverse than that. I could only sum up their findings based on how they researched, but I am of course interested in responses from everyone :)

The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss

Findings from the May 2021 American Perspectives Survey

June 8, 2021 | Daniel A. Cox available at Americansurveycenter.org