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There aregood neighbors, bad neighbors, and then there are neighbors from hell.
Unfortunately, the latter always seem to be the most relentless.
At least, thats what the research suggestsespecially in the U.S.
This drop in neighborly interaction goes hand in hand with a broader decline in societal trust.
We currently have an epidemic of loneliness in America, Burton says.
Busyness is another contributing factor.
Americans tend to overload their schedules, leaving little room for neighborly connections.
Being busy makes us feel important.
The retreat mentality reflects how many Americans view their homes as sanctuaries where they want to be left alone.
Finally, theres our focus on entertainment.
We buy larger televisions, connect them to the internet, and entertain ourselves until we fall asleep.
We sit and watch Netflix and play video games until bedtime.
The average American watches 3.1 hours of television per day.
No wonder we dont have time for neighbors, says Burton.
Now that you know the reasons why weve become less neighborly, Burton believes its time for a change.
Be intentional about being outside.
Watch and speak to neighbors that you see.
And take steps to learn and use the names of your neighbors.
That is the starting line so get on your mark, he concludes.
Check out the results:
