Surviving back then was much, much more difficult. The strength of the bonds you made with your fellow man were quite literally a matter of life or death. This was especially true in the American frontier.
Now, you can be a complete and total shut-in with no meaningful connections and still live into old age. Things are getting interesting (see: Japan).
BiznessCasual t1_j6bwoxe wrote
Reply to Dickens' David Copperfield: Were men more affectionate with each other in the 18th century? by angelojann
Surviving back then was much, much more difficult. The strength of the bonds you made with your fellow man were quite literally a matter of life or death. This was especially true in the American frontier.
Now, you can be a complete and total shut-in with no meaningful connections and still live into old age. Things are getting interesting (see: Japan).