Interesting Commentary

In the past 25 years

• Playing cards as a social activity is down 25%.

• Frequenting bars, nightclubs and taverns are down 40%.

• The number of full-service restaurants has decreased 25%, and the number of bars (including coffee bars) and luncheonettes has decreased 50%, but the number of fast-food outlets has increased 100%, as more people eat alone and eat more meals in their cars.

• Having a social evening with someone from one’s neighborhood is down 33%.

• Attending social clubs and meetings is down 58%.

• Family dinners are down 33%.

• Having friends over to one’s home is down 45%.

• From 1980 to 1993, participation in America’s number one participant sport, bowling, was up 10%, but the number of bowling leagues decreased 40%, as more people bowled alone.

• From 1985 to 1999, the readiness of the average American to make new friends declined by nearly 33%.

• From 1992 to 1999 the amount of time spent caring for a pet increased 15%.

• From 1992 to 1999, the amount of time spent for personal grooming increased 5 – 7%.

Isn’t it odd that we are apparently becoming a nation of attractive people who sit at home alone at night with our pets, watching television shows about relationships and taking medication for depression brought on by our loneliness? Meanwhile, our neighbors, whom we do not know, are spending their evenings in much the same way.

(Statistics from Harvard professor Robert D. Putnam’s 2000 book, “Bowling Alone”)
(Commentary from Mark Driscoll “The Radical Reformission”)