Our Social Circles Are Getting Smaller

A report published in the American Sociological Review revealed something most of us probably already know - our social circles are getting smaller. In other words, we have fewer close friends than we did twenty years ago. One-quarter of all Americans say they have nobody (think about that - no one) they can discuss problems with or confide in. That's more than double the percentage in 1985. On average, most Americans have just over two close friends, as opposed to just under three in 1985.

We're going in the wrong direction. We were created by God to be in community with others - to have relationships - with the ultimate and primary relationship being with Him. After Adam was created, God said that it was not good for him to be alone. Obviously that meant marriage in the first place, but it means relationships in general, too. We weren't meant to go it alone. Spouses, families, churches, voluntary associations, communities, cities, and nations all help fill that need.

But what am I doing while I'm surmising on the need for real community? Sitting in front of a computer, typing on a keyboard, publishing my thoughts in something called a "weblog" which is meant by many to be a "virtual" community - a substitute, if you will. It's ironic, but that's part of the problem. Something to think about, but I don't think I'll be giving up blogging anytime soon!