Trends and figures on living alone

Eric Klinenberg (2013)

- Argues in Western European and North American societies people are living alone in large numbers for the first time in history. Suggested 3 reasons:

1. The cult of the individual - with emergence of modern industrial societies, individuals more focused on own needs rather than their role in larger social structures such as families, as in pre-industrial and tribal societies. Cultural pressure today is to be 'good to oneself' so more individuals choose to opt out of living with others or as part of a family

2. The communication revolution - individuals can achieve pleasures of a social life even when they are living alone, thanks to new technologies such as email, mobile phones and digital social networks

3. The ageing population - because people are living longer it is likely they will be divorced or widowed in old age. Elderly women are particularly likely to live alone as they have a longer life expectancy

Adam Smith + colleagues (2005)

- Found that over 10-year period between 1991-2002 only 7% of those studied remained living alone throughout that period

- Using data from Scottish Household Survey, found that of those who lived alone 59% had been to visit relatives in last fortnight, meaning that many of those who lived alone are still part of family networks

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