Loneliness
Isolation
Mental Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Crime, both violent and domestic
Drug abuse and Alcoholism
Early Death
All of these are associated with people who are deprived of community. Why? Because mankind is inherently a social animal. Some of us are more social than others, but the fact remains that without social contact, one loses a fundamental aspect of their identity: how they relate to others.
In the past several decades we have observed a rapid deterioration in community ties, as families move away from each other, elder parents are sent to nursing homes, children are looked after by hired, apathetic caregivers, and increasing rates of urbanization discourage interaction with one's neighbors. These issues, I believe, have produced the majority of societal problems that we face today. These problems are both dire and pervasive.
But what to do about them? I recognize that it's not very feasible for people to adopt a communal lifestyle, but something like that would be a step in the right direction.
The alternative, to make no attempt at solving these issues, is unthinkable.
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