Final answer:
The importance of propinquity is decreasing as more Americans move out of state for college, reducing the likelihood of forming relationships based on proximity. While propinquity was once a key factor in relationship formation, modern trends in education and economic factors, including the impact of the Boomerang Generation, have led to more complex patterns of relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increasing number of Americans who move out of state to attend college will decrease the importance of propinquity. The theory of propinquity suggests that one of the strongest predictors in the formation of interpersonal relationships is geographical closeness. With more young people attending college away from their hometowns, the opportunities for building relationships based solely on proximity diminish. Instead, students form new relationships at college, often influenced by the immediate social environment such as dorms, classes, and campus activities.
In the early 20th century, college attendance was a privilege of the few, but as the number of attendees increased, the campus environment evolved into a community where many social interactions began, including romantic relationships. The historical context shows us that as college populations grew, the importance of close-knit communities such as fraternities and sororities also increased. In modern times, social trends show a decline in early marriage and more focus on education and career, which translates to later and more diverse forms of relationships, rather than those heavily influenced by propinquity.
The societal shift in attending college out-of-state and the flexibility in forming relationships challenge the traditional proximity principle. Research indicates that while propinquity still plays a role, the pattern of relationships is becoming more complex with time. This trend is further compounded by the Boomerang Generation, showing the economic influences on young adults' lives that impact their social connections.