In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

It has been observed that today more people prefer to live alone and independently than in the past. While some feel it is a detrimental trend for our society and individuals, others believe it has a few significant benefits. However, I opine that this development has positive and negative consequences alike.

This world has a lot of noise from various sources. Seclusion has many benefits, for it helps people cut off from disturbances present around them, and multiple opinions of people and focus on their life and tasks. It also enables them to think independently. Thus, living alone or in solitude is preferred by some people. It is useful, especially for creative people and innovators, for they seek seclusion as it helps them conceive new concepts and build something new. A similar atmosphere attracts researchers and students.

However, always staying alone may have some negative impacts on people, or it may be a sign of something disturbing going on in their life. First, when people are alone, they may be susceptible to sadness and depression, for humans need a human touch, someone to share our happiness and sorrows. Secondly, people spending their lives alone is a sign of a decline in the family system, joint family systems, and family values, which further has many perilous ripple effects on people and society. Furthermore, someone that lives alone may indulge in anti-social activities.

To sum up, indeed, there has been more inclination to be alone, and like any other development in society, this too has a few negatives and a few positives for people, families, and society many of which have been mentioned.