Speaking of individual freelance writers...

Has the emphasis on individualism caused people to forget the importance of belonging to a community

Yes, in my opinion the idea of individualism has caused people to forget the importance of belonging to a community. Nowadays each of us has created his/her own bubble and we the least bothered about what's happening outside our bubble, individualism has made people selfish. People react fiercely when their bubble is concerned and others are the least of their concerns. The pleasures of team spirit and sportsmanship are lost among today's generation.

Another thing that bothers me about this individualism is that these days even the parents want their children to do something individually so that only their child gets the praise. For example, last week my younger brother wanted to join the musical band of our school, but my parents refused bluntly and told him that if he wanted then they would hire a private tutor for him. At first I couldn't understand their refusal but when I asked them their answer surprised me they said that my brother was good at music and if he joined the group then he wouldn't get the solo praise and attention he deserved. Quite frankly I never expected such an answer from them cause from childhood we have been taught to share and think about "us" rather than "I" but today the competition levels are so high that it kind of forces people to think this way. All of us have forgotten the true sense of unity,I still remember the phrase our grandma said " United we stand .. Divided we fall", I would like to end my essay by saying that individualism is great but all of us should have communalism within us.