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

Podcast Episode Summary

In 1950, four million American adults lived alone. They represented nine percent of all U.S. households. Today, thirty-one million live alone ... twenty-eight percent of all households. For the first time in centuries, the majority of all American adults are single. They will spend more of their adult life unmarried than married, and for much of this time they will live alone. The global numbers of people living alone is also skyrocketing, especially in urban areas of the Scandinavian countries, western Europe and Japan. A New York University sociologist examined the factors behind this trend, and how it is transforming our communities. He joins Diane to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the biggest demographic shift since the baby boom.