WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's ChoiceLiving Alone In 2012

Living Alone In 2012

SALISBURY, Md., - More people live alone now than at any other time in history. The mere thought of living alone once sparked anxiety, dread and visions of loneliness. But those images are now dated.

Dr. Leslie Donnelley, Licensed Psychologist states that, "Living alone promotes freedom, personal control and self realization."

According to the Census, about 5 million people in the United States between ages 18 and 34 live alone, 10 times more than in 1950. So in today's world--why do some choose to live a life of solitude?
Some people claim that, "They choose to live alone because sometimes your just not sure of who you can trust nowadays."

Dr. Donnelley says, "The research shows that single people actually get out more and their more likely to get out with friends and restaurants."

Dr. Margo Kushner, Professor at Salisbury University says that her students say, "We've got a good future, we don't want to, we have a lot to do, we have lots of opportunity, we want to travel."

New communications technologies, such as facebook and twitter can make living alone a social experience. However, the adjustment from living alone to co-habitation with someone could be difficult.

Dr. Kushner states, "Your going to have a hard time sharing your space, your finances, getting accustomed to someone else's routine."

The latest census report estimates that more than 32 million Americans live alone today up from 27 million in 2000 and 31 million in 2010.