Years after 9/11, what disasters reveal about Americans' ability to reconnect

As the United States marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, researchers and community recovery experts point to a two-sided response to disaster: prolonged disruption can corrode trust and relationships, but many people also reach for connection. The article cites a national survey shortly after 9/11 showing about half of Americans donated to charity and nearly a quarter tried to donate blood, with volunteer sign-ups surging. It also describes analysis of divorce rates across 62 New York counties, where divorce rates were significantly lower than expected in three of the four years after the attacks. Similar patterns are discussed after Hurricane Katrina and other growing U.S. disaster trends.