Written By Brad Kell
Throughout early civilizations, notably in the Ancient Near East, the norm was for people to live in communities of 50-100, many of whom were related. In fact, that’s been the norm for most of human history. As recently as the 1500’s, the average European family consisted of around 20 people who were closely interconnected in their daily lives. By the mid-1800’s, this number had decreased to 10. In 1960, it had further reduced to five. When we entered the 2000’s the average Western family size was less than four. Today, up to a third of people live alone. This trend of increasing single-person households is evident across all world regions in the chart below, although there are significant variations between countries. For instance, more than 40% of households in Northern European nations consist of single individuals, whereas in low-income Asian countries, this figure is around 1%.
Research shows that social connections are crucial for our well-being. Bruce Perry, in his book What Happened to You?, highlights this by stating, “Our emotional well-being depends on the connections we have with others—especially our family.” Support from family and friends not only enhances our happiness and health but also plays a key role in our ability to share information, learn from others, and seize economic opportunities.
The islands in the southern part of Japan have long been renowned for their longevity, once regarded as the land of immortals. Okinawans have lower rates of cancer, heart disease, and dementia compared to Americans, and women there have the longest life expectancy in the world. This longevity places Okinawans among the 5 global blue zones.
Perhaps their greatest secret is a strong dedication to friends and family. They maintain a powerful social network called a “moai,” a lifelong circle of friends that supports them well into old age. Additionally, Okinawans have a strong sense of purpose in life, known as “ikigai,” which acts as a driving force for their well-being. One national survey in 2018 noted that almost half of people in Japan (47.5%) aged over 70 are still active in their community through work, hobbies, or some other form of activity.
Humans are social creatures that require other humans to survive. We desperately need communities that provide our basic needs of safety, secure attachment, predictability, nurturance, acceptance and belonging. No longer is it an overstatement to say that at this time in history the world is in an unprecedented state of emergency. Is individualism really the best path to survival in a crisis? A shift in mindset and a step towards radical sustainability and community stability are required, both of which are lacking in our society. By assessing and drawing upon local resources, groups of people can organise amongst themselves and self-advocate with their actions rather than with pleas to bureaucratic powers, not unlike early civilisations. Shifting from “I” to “we” alone may not be the answer to the world’s problems, but it is surely a variable in the equation.
Our survival instructor course challenges conventional survivalist thinking, asserting that genuine, enduring survival thrives within a community. We demonstrate the practicality of community survival in crisis scenarios, emphasizing its role in rebuilding an ethical and sustainable society. Drawing from nature and the history of evolution, shows how cooperation has often allowed life to flourish more than individual competition.
In the world of survival, one fundamental truth stands unshaken: strength is not individual. While the image of the solitary survivor, the lone wolf braving the wilderness, may be captivating, the reality is that true strength emerges through collaboration, community, and shared knowledge. Loneliness has become an epidemic, affecting millions and undermining mental health. By building strong social networks, like the Okinawan “moai,” we can provide the emotional support and sense of purpose needed for fulfilling lives. Embracing a collective mindset over individualism fosters a more connected, compassionate, and supportive society, where no one faces life’s challenges alone.
References
- Loneliness and Social Connections – Our World in Data
- What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing: Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey (2021)
- Okinawa, Japan – Blue Zones
