It is a known fact that humans are wired to be social and friendships are crucial for well-being. However, in the past few years, external factors and pressure have hindered the formation of maintenance of friendships. Recognising the significance of friendship, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on Friday shared an interesting philosophy on this topic written by author Richard Reeves.
It is a known fact that humans are wired to be social and friendships are crucial for well-being. However, in the past few years, external factors and pressure have hindered the formation of maintenance of friendships. Recognising the significance of friendship, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on Friday shared an interesting philosophy on this topic written by author Richard Reeves.
According to a 2021 survey by the American Perspective, the world is witnessing a “friendship recession” as there is a rise in people who lack close friends. And this could become a serious crisis in the future as loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
According to a 2021 survey by the American Perspective, the world is witnessing a “friendship recession” as there is a rise in people who lack close friends. And this could become a serious crisis in the future as loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
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The Amercian Perspective Survey pointed out four factors that are causing a decline in friendships– geographic mobility, increased parental focus on child-rearing, work-centric culture, and breakdown of relationships leading to the separation of friend groups.
The survey highlighted that 15% of men reported lacking a close friend. Whereas in the 1990s only 3% of men went through the same emotion.
Besides, more than half of women lost touch with their friends during the Covid pandemic.
Raising the alarm on the ‘friendship recession’, the survey said that if the trend continues there could be more “atomized individuals and a dystopian outlook”. The lesser number of friends in our lives would also increase ” sadness and ill health”.
How to maintain friendships forever?
Author Reeves has shared three solutions to conquer loneliness and friendship recession.
-“Recognise the importance of actively working on friendships.
-Friendship requires effort, like woodworking, but the rewards are worth it.
-Be vulnerable and open to the need for a friend. Let go of the shame of admitting that desire as you grow older,” Reeves said.
Nikhil Kamath shared Reeves’ The Friendship Recession philosophy on Twitter and wrote, “I have 5 bros in my life I would do all for, life-changing this is, seriously”.
How many friends are ideal?
Author Reeevs mentioned that throughout history, a tribal size of around 12-15 friends has been considered reasonable. However, having around 3-4 close friends is often ideal for “meaningful connections”.
