Recently, whether or not the modern world encourages individual independence has surfaced as an intriguing debate. While some suggest that contemporary people have become less mutually dependent, others, including myself, believe the .
Several factors appear to prove that the modern world has fostered among individuals. An is that many people have shifted their living arrangements toward smaller and smaller family units; in some places, single-person households are the most prevalent. Multiple generations living under one roof used to make sense as a means of pooling resources, but the increased economic power of individuals means that more independent family structures are the norm. Furthermore, the Internet’s popularity has enabled the independent acquisition of knowledge and skills . This lends confidence to many people to be employed remotely, thus reinforcing the perception of independence in contemporary society.
However, interdependence may actually be the more popular trend throughout the modern world. These days, many individuals’ lifestyles exhibit a reliance on goods and services produced by others. A large number of young office workers, for instance, take public transport to commute, and order daily meals to be delivered to them to maintain their focus on . Furthermore, on social media platforms, users rely on others’ reactions in order to expand their reach and influence, which has the added effect of . At the same time, these services constantly encourage participants to follow others to keep up with their experiences. This generates a loop where online creators are dependent on media consumers’ feedback, whereas consumers feel they need the creators as a place to voice their opinions and obtain new experiences.
In conclusion, while contemporary cultural values and technological developments have increased independence, I believe that mutual dependence is the prevailing trend among individuals. The positive or negative implications of these trends remain to be seen, but maintaining a balance between them is likely paramount to achieving progress in society.