Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone

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Center Point Pub., 2012 - Psychology - 406 pages
Going Solo is an examination of the most significant demographic shift since the Baby Boom — the sharp increase in the number of people who live alone. In 1950, only 22 percent of American adults were single. Today, more than 50 percent of American adults are single and 31 million — roughly one out of every seven adults — live alone. In Going Solo, renowned sociologist and author Eric Klinenberg proves that these numbers are more than just a passing trend. They’re actually evidence of the biggest demographic shift since the Baby Boom. We are crafting new ways of living. Klinenberg explores the seismic impact “going solo” is having on culture, business, and politics. Though conventional wisdom tells us that living by oneself leads to loneliness and isolation, the facts tell us that most solo dwellers are deeply engaged in social and civic life. Compared with their married counterparts, they are more likely to eat out and exercise, go to art and music

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About the author (2012)

Eric Klinenberg is a professor of sociology at New York University and the editor of the journal Public Culture. He has written several books including Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago, Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media, and Modern Romance.

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