DUTCH PRESENT-DAY SOCIETYFall semester 2003/2004QUESTION 3 OF THE EXAMa few remarks:®Use your own words in formulating your answer.®Give references to page numbers where necessary. ®Your answer will be about 500 words in length.®Hand in your answer,

a) The first reason that Van der Horst displays in his work for the increasing loneliness within Dutch society is the depillarization within society. Therefore getting rid of secularisation and enforcing individualism. Van der Horst explains that the Dutch believe that this lack of contact with others is on the increase, because people previously were more united in groups. The religious pillars within society have broken down leading to a society where individualism is important and therefore an increase in loneliness and independence. People used to help each other but today Van der Horst believes they wish to help themselves.
Secondly, Van der Horst sees that family networks have been destroyed, resulting in lack of family connections previously considered to be of great importance. The explanations to the breakdown’s of family networks would be due to the modernisation of society, such as more efficient ways of travelling.
Thirdly, as consequences of the ab...