Historian Argues Increased Partying Could Combat Loneliness Epidemic

More than half of Americans report feeling isolated, and social gatherings are becoming increasingly rare, with only about 4 percent of adults attending a party in 2023. Imogen Willetts, a historian and author of "Up All Night: A History of Going Out," argues that this trend represents an anomaly in human history and that a resurgence in social events could combat the growing loneliness epidemic.

Historically, experiences often associated with modern nightlife, such as drinking, dancing, and music, were integrated into religious practices. Willetts explains that in medieval England, church services could be boisterous, with feasting and dancing on feast days. Some theories suggest that the introduction of wooden pews in cathedrals was an attempt to curb excessive dancing during services.

"For most of human history, the experiences that we associate with nightlife — drinking, dancing, music, hedonism — those experiences were simply part of religion because religion was so all-encompassing," Willetts told Vox. "Religion contained people’s hedonistic instinct. There was nothing really outside of it."

The emergence of modern nightlife, separate from religion and courtly structures, can be traced to 17th-century Japan with commercial entertainment districts like Yoshiwara. This shift allowed for the development of social spaces dedicated purely to pleasure and entertainment.

The Power of Collective Effervescence

Willetts highlights sociologist Émile Durkheim's concept of "collective effervescence" to describe the euphoria experienced during peak communal events. This feeling, she notes, can be found at sporting events, concerts, and even within religious gatherings. In increasingly secular societies, Willetts posits that nightlife and parties serve as vital avenues for experiencing this communal euphoria and feeling connected to something larger than oneself.

Parties as Catalysts for Change

Beyond personal connection, parties and nightlife have historically been crucibles for cultural and societal innovation. Willetts points to mid-20th century New York's Abstract Expressionist movement and the Viennese Secession as examples where social gatherings in spaces like the Cedar Tavern and Cabaret Fledermaus facilitated artistic exchange and development. Similarly, genres like the can-can, disco, and techno have roots in dance floors and club culture.

Domestic Gatherings and Transformation

Parties held in private homes also have a significant history. In turn-of-the-century New Orleans, "fish fries" allowed households to open their homes to the public for a fee, providing music, food, and drink, and offering a financial boost to struggling residents. This practice echoed in Harlem during the 1920s with "rent parties," documented by Langston Hughes, where apartments transformed into vibrant social hubs. Invitations for these gatherings were often distributed on business cards, with some now archived at Yale University.

Willetts suggests that the essential elements of a successful party include good music, appropriate lighting, and an atmosphere that encourages a sense of possibility and a departure from daily routines. The transformation of domestic spaces, such as a kitchen becoming a cocktail bar or a living room a dance floor, contributes to this satisfying disruption that can make people feel alive.