Living together and Loneliness

This isn't going to be about common-law relationships but about other set-ups. After watching Sister Wives (never get to see islamic polygamy close up so might as well rubber neck the Christians, ahem), I realised that one of the main reasons these women can put up with the situation is that being together with all the other wives eases their loneliness. Back in the olden days (cough 1950's) women stayed home and had coffee mornings or so I've been told as that's way before my time. Nowadays with the majority of women working I think a lot of women work because that's one of the only ways you can get adult interaction during the day. But there's something else at play that's changed over the years. In the really olden days let's say turn of the century, ahh, last century, people lived in extended families. After reading about a family that decided to live that way again in Reader's Digest it really hit a nerve. Most of us would hate to be in such a situation as we've always been told how awful it is but what about the benefits? Actually growing up to know your grandparents intimately, babysitters on hand, shared chores, help in your old age and yes a salve for loneliness. The article also talks about how much money you save. I know a lot of people in the GTA are living together just in order to afford a house; multiple generations, siblings, friends. At what cost has this relatively  new way of living affected us? I remember when my granny lived on the same property as us in her little house. I cherish those days so much. In Malaysia people may not live together anymore but sometimes do but they do live in the same neighbourhood; the kampung. I miss walking past my neighbours house and being invited in for tea because hey that's my in-law. Its a special feeling. Sometimes I long to live in the olden days when your neighbours were your relatives and woman got together for coffee and quilting bees and potlucks. I have more money here in Canada but yes my Malaysian readers I also have something I didn't have in Malaysia; loneliness. Yes a woman with 10 kids can feel lonely, it takes more than your relationship with your kids to keep you company. Alhumdullilah.