> It was not something my parents enjoyed, but rather an obligation they felt they had to uphold.

understandable, but if you think about it, it's kinda the price of keeping your "social network" alive. people nowadays understand that romantic relationships need maintenance and effort, but don't (yet?) understand that friendship require at least some maintenance as well. i guess that was even true-r before social media when you weren't constantly updated about what happened in friend X, Y and Z's lives.

most people nowadays don't really want to pay that price to keep relationships alive... and it's showing.

> My parents were always busy and exhausted.

what i'm about to write is absolutely anecdotical, but: i don't see people my age (30-40 years old) like super-relaxed either.