- cross-posted to:
- usa@lemmy.ml
- cross-posted to:
- usa@lemmy.ml
America appears to be suffering from a fun shortage. For the industries supplying recreational amenities, this deficit is a business opportunity. But for everyone not positioned to profit from the trend, it’s a source of stress and frustration that’s been building for a while. It also has broad ramifications for the future of the economy, society and politics. On the eve of the country’s 250th birthday, it’s worth pondering whether the pursuit of happiness has become more difficult.
First, a quick definition: Experts on these matters generally agree that the kinds of fun we should be striving for are enjoyable experiences with others. A live show with friends, a vacation with family or even small talk with a stranger can all make us feel more connected and content.
By those measures, it’s clear that Americans are having less fun than they used to. Since its 2003 inception, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey shows double-digit percentage drops in the hours spent each year on arts and entertainment activities, attending sports or recreational events, and attending or hosting social events. In a 2024 US Census Bureau survey, almost 80% of respondents said they saw friends or relatives fewer than three times a week.
The US, along with Australia, Canada and New Zealand, seems to have grown uniquely unhappy over the past 15 years, according to the annual World Happiness Report, which combines data on more than 140 countries. For good reason, we often blame smartphones and social media for making us feel worse. But most of the world uses these digital tools at least as much as Americans do, and the US still came in 23rd on the global happiness ranking in 2026, down from 13th a decade prior. America’s happiness decline must have another major cause, says report co-editor and University of British Columbia professor emeritus of economics John Helliwell. He points to the “often forgotten” factor of fun. “It’s not just connections” with other people, he says. “It’s how much you’re enjoying the connections.”
This resonated with me because I’m a chronic worker and I don’t get out much. There also seems to be a mindset that you can get that social need fulfilled by people you encounter during work days, and thus, all your needs for socializing are met. That is problematic in itself for a variety of reasons (What if you don’t like them? What if you’re constantly working and don’t get face time with the ones you do like?). When you’re at work, you can’t relax, and if you work a lot, you have to rest when you’re not working, and don’t have time or money to “have fun”. Gasoline and events are more expensive too.
Time poor and money poor is where most folks are these days, and when everything is too expensive, and we’re too tired, it makes sense we aren’t having fun. Have you seen our built environment lately? Most cities are too dangerous for pedestrians and bikers, and that’s usually a good way to get out and encounter fun or new things.
Rant aside, lots of community groups are meeting this challenge and creating low or no cost ways to establish third spaces to get outside and around like minded people. Be sure to check your local environmental organizations to see what kinds of events they hold, and if they aren’t hosting events, maybe there’s a place for a volunteer to stand that up!