If loneliness is an epidemic , then why is it still so hard to make friends?

[Anonymous]

Harvard Study: An Epidemic of Loneliness Is Spreading Across America

https://fee.org/articles/harvard-study-an-epidemic-of-loneliness-is-spreading-across-america/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9MCnBhCYARIsAB1WQVXGoSBYHkBsa05yWYXDZYUV2vsun2BAYe4a2SKg_27tcLjXAb_1T68aAsklEALw_wcB

I have tried making friends by meeting people from online, school, my job. But very rarely do people ever want to talk or hangout with me outside school or work. People don't even bother to keep in touch unless I'm super fun to talk to. When I attend social groups, most people aren't even looking to make friends. They're either just looking for dates or someone to talk to for 1 night. I have met countless people from online that never see me again after 1 meeting. Over the past 7 years, I have literally only made 3 friends. All of whom that I am no longer in touch with because they got married and moved away.

my question is: if loneliness was truly such a widespread problem in the US, then why is it so hard to make a friend?

[NaultD]

We lack third places. First is home, second school or work then third places was like malls, soda jerks, dancing halls. Places to go just to meet people. Everything is boiling down to planed events. So it's harder and harder to meet people.

[Asker]

No even the gym classes that i go to or school classmates have no desire to grab a coffee wjth me. Its like we meet cuz we have to meet. Once school ends, i never see them again

[NaultD]

That's the problem. We lack third places. We need to create such place just to expect meeting people.

[NamerOfStars]

Cause and effect- the difficulty of making friends is a big part of WHY there's an epidemic of loneliness.

[Asker]

wouldn't you assume people would want to make friends if theyre so lonely?

[NamerOfStars]

They do- hell, WE do, if I'm being honest. That it's so difficult- and many aspects of modern society make things worse- interferes.

[Asker]

I dont think it has anything to do with modern society. Because truth is... most peoples standards are way too high and they dont prioritize making friends

[exitseven]

That is a great question.

[DarkWinterNights]

Because we’re devolving.