Educated Men Aren’t Bowling Alone: Loneliness, Community, and Technology in France and the United States

• In Event: 20803 - Fragile Communities: Residents Coping with Shocks, Changes, and Inequities

Abstract

The existence of a loneliness epidemic is widely debated, with some scholars suggesting that increased internet use may exacerbate loneliness, while others argue that online communities can foster social connection. Notably, claims of heightened loneliness among men, especially youth, have gained attention, though the role of social class remains underexplored. Classic works such as Bowling Alone highlight the decline of social bonds in the United States, but comparative analyses across countries remain limited. Although global measures of loneliness exist, few account for both digital communities and inequalities, as well as the intersection of gender and class. In this paper, we leverage three connected data sources and computational methods to provide an in-depth cross-national comparison of the U.S. and France to investigate the question: How do people in countries with differing state policies and values around collectivism and individualism experience the so-called loneliness epidemic? Furthermore, what relationship do internet communities and information sharing practices have with community strength or isolation? Our data connects a survey fielded in both countries (N=8,000) with a 7-day diary (N=23,982 entries from 4,204 respondents) and 9 million digital trace observations (from over 1,800 respondents). Across three levels of community structure, focused on (i) family and friends, (ii) acquaintances, and (iii) online only connections, we find that in both countries, college educated men routinely report the highest levels of community and U.S. respondents consistently report higher levels of community than those in France. Contrary to claims of a loneliness epidemic among men or within more collectivist societies, we found the opposite. Analysis of the diary data suggests that this strength of community is not necessarily reflected in informational discussions, with both isolated and connected individuals reporting frequent conservations with friends and family members.

Authors

• Jen Schradie, Sciences Po - Paris

• Isabelle Langrock, Sciences Po