I think this has very little to do with some "decline of the family" whatever that means and more to do with the dilution of social norms.
In the past it was expected that people would attend the local church/sports club/dance/get together and everybody did it even if they didn't really want to, because it was expected and the default behaviour.
These days, there is more acceptance that the members of your community may not share your interests, so the expectation of conformance has diminished and with it the obligation to attend community events.
This is great for those of us who have a social group that they identify with, as these fill the gap. Unfortunately for those of use who's social group is online, distant or non existent then there is no option for physical world socialisation. I would expect that as each interest group becomes more focused, the tolerance for divergent attitudes within those groups is reduced.
This leaves those of us who's socialisation would have been through these default activities with the choice of doing nothing and potentially being lonely, or having to make an effort to find a group we can fit in with and who will accept us.
In the past it was expected that people would attend the local church/sports club/dance/get together and everybody did it even if they didn't really want to, because it was expected and the default behaviour.
These days, there is more acceptance that the members of your community may not share your interests, so the expectation of conformance has diminished and with it the obligation to attend community events.
This is great for those of us who have a social group that they identify with, as these fill the gap. Unfortunately for those of use who's social group is online, distant or non existent then there is no option for physical world socialisation. I would expect that as each interest group becomes more focused, the tolerance for divergent attitudes within those groups is reduced.
This leaves those of us who's socialisation would have been through these default activities with the choice of doing nothing and potentially being lonely, or having to make an effort to find a group we can fit in with and who will accept us.