In his book, Straight Talk to Men and Their Wives, Dr. James Dobson commented on the increase in depression and loneliness among women. He said that the breakdown today is not between men and women, but between women and women:
"A century ago, women cooked together, canned together, washed at the creek together, prayed together, went through menopause together, and grew old together. And when a baby was born, aunts, grandmothers, and neighbors were there to show the new mother how to diaper and feed and discipline. Great emotional support was provided in this feminine contact. A woman was never really alone.
Alas, the situation is very different today. The extended family has disappeared, depriving the wife of that source of security and fellowship. Her mother lives in New Jersey and her sister is in Texas. Furthermore, American families move every three or four years, preventing any long-term friendships from developing among neighbors."
We have in this culture a great need for supportive networks for women. And the church is the logical place for women to connect with other women of faith. But are those connections the real, intimate connections that we long for, or are they just superficial gatherings where we never really get to know each other, never pour our hearts out to each other, and never experience the comfort of women who know how to listen, women who genuinely care. Do we walk away from those gatherings feeling like we haven't really made a connection with anyone, and do we drive home feeling empty, lonely, and wishing for more?
Scroll down and click on the link below titled, Are you lonely? for more on this subject.
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