"The meaning of the word "friend" has changed, substantively and steadily over time, for American teens."
It's interesting to me that you say this. Different cultures define the word 'friend' more strictly than others. Americans are widely known for using the word 'friend' very casually: to them, it basically means "acquaintance I like". Maybe immigrants and first-generation Americans have a more strict definition in mind when responding to the survey. The % of the population who are first generation Americans has been greatly increasing so it could partially explain the results. I wonder if there is a correlation.
"Americans are simply not making friends in school and, consequently, are spending less time with their (non) friends outside of school."
"The meaning of the word "friend" has changed, substantively and steadily over time, for American teens."
It's interesting to me that you say this. Different cultures define the word 'friend' more strictly than others. Americans are widely known for using the word 'friend' very casually: to them, it basically means "acquaintance I like". Maybe immigrants and first-generation Americans have a more strict definition in mind when responding to the survey. The % of the population who are first generation Americans has been greatly increasing so it could partially explain the results. I wonder if there is a correlation.
"Americans are simply not making friends in school and, consequently, are spending less time with their (non) friends outside of school."
Younger generations are making less friends. This is something that is pretty well-documented at this point: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/8/1/20750047/millennials-poll-loneliness