I don't disagree but 30 years ago the people in those kinds of neighborhoods did get out and talk to each other, did organize cookouts and other gatherings, and in general were sociable neighbors. The people changed.
The greed of wall street and the powers that be bubbles down. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with property values and insurance and strict HOA regs. The purpose of housing in the USA has nothing to do with families or people, it is an investment for growing wealth, and nothing more. If you treat a house like a home, you are negatively affecting your property value and net worth (and your neighbors.)
the noise and unseemliness of cookouts and other gatherings negatively affects property value. That's the sort of thing you see in scary bad neighborhoods on TV. Just drive 45 minutes to the strip mall 6 miles away and gather at one of the corporate chain establishments.
