Reconnecting with Family and Community During Summertime
In my recent interview on “Around Town with Scott Rogers,” I spoke on this topic, but our interview was cut fairly short. Here is a fuller picture of my thoughts and suggestions on this timely and important issue:
What has contributed to our society’s disconnection? High mobility. Families no longer live in one central community for generation after generation. Extended families, even “nuclear” families, are more scattered and mobile than ever. Families are also busier than ever. Between each family member’s schedule, there is often barely time to sit down or go for a walk, just to find out how the other’s activities are going. It’s a tiring and disconnecting trap, and a trend that seems to be growing. Similarly, the average work week has grown significantly over the last few decades, despite early speculation that increasing technology would actually shrink the work week! Another big factor is the massive amount of time Americans spend involved with entertainment media. The numbers are staggering. In general, plugging into the screen means unplugging from the people around you. All of these factors seem to be connected to a shift in our culture away from service and community life toward more affluence and personal enjoyment.
How do we reconnect? Get out of our entertainment rooms and fenced-in backyards, and get involved in others’ lives. (more…)