Joint families, where people lived together in a common household, used to be a common thing. However, over the last few decades, there has been a surge, in several places globally, in individuals living by themselves and not with their family members. This has led to several issues that were not seen in the past, including but not limited to trust deficit, lack of family support, economic instability, and psychological issues. This essay examines these problems and suggests ways these can be countered in order to develop healthier community and societal relationships.
While staying away from siblings, parents, and other relatives can be associated with a feeling of freedom and a sense of accomplishment in some, there are inherent costs associated with this approach. Research has shown that people staying by themselves consistently report high levels of social anxiety and poor performance at work. This may be attributed, at least partly to lack of support, both emotional and psychological, from family members. These individuals are also more likely to suffer from economic instability because of a lack of the common pool of funds in joint families. The absence of a cohesive family structure has implications for the familial unit and society at large as well. For example, it has been suggested that erosion of trust and family bonding can lead to a higher incidence of broken relationships and divorces.
However, despite the increasing burden of people who choose to live on their own, several solutions exist to this problem. The elderly in the household can educate their young about the advantages that living with them can offer. Developing familial bonds and common hobbies, for example taking trips and holidays together, can help forge lasting relationships and a desire to be near each other.
In conclusion, the recent trend of living alone and not with relatives in households has distinct disadvantages. However, there are solutions to this burgeoning problem.