Walling Ourselves In

Driving through suburbia I have noticed a change in the character of some streets. An increasing number of people have high fences and a permanently closed gate that can only be opened using the correct remote. It is no longer possible to knock on your next-door neighbour’s door.

You might think, why is this problem? Don’t people have a right to secure their properties? Of course they have that right, but they sacrificing any sense of community. They are isolating themselves. I think this walling in is partially driven both papers like the Herald Sun and shows like A Current Affair and Today Tonight. Such tabloid journalism thrives on stoking people’s fears. Add to this the breakdown of suburban communities; many people don’t even know their neighbour’s names.

Maybe social media has taken the place of suburban communities. People have their friends and social contacts right at the tips of their fingers. I guess this keeps people in touch, but is it a replacement for a genuine community?

One good thing about this is that these gated houses no longer suffer Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons knocking on their door.