The Loneliness Crisis For Men
Jack Kelly
Forbes, Board of Directors Blind, Founder and CEO of The Compliance Search Group and Wecruitr.com, Co-host of the Blind Ambition Podcast
The Loneliness Crisis For Men
There is a significant loneliness crisis affecting men and young adult men . Recent studies have shown alarming trends, with 15% of men reporting they have no close friends, a fivefold increase since 1990. The problem is particularly acute among young men, with two-thirds of those aged 18-23 feeling that "no one really knows me".
The United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned the public about “our epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” Within the past year, attention has shifted to the loneliness faced by men, coining the term “male loneliness epidemic.”?
This phenomenon is not limited to romantic relationships. Research from 2021 found that 15% of men report having no close friends, marking a 12% increase since 1990. A 2023 study by Equimundo revealed that many men, particularly older Millennials and Generation Z, feel that “no one really knows me well,” with Gen Z showing the highest agreement.?
Sadly, many men reported having only one or two close friends they can confide in outside their family. In romantic contexts, men are more likely to be single and have less sexual activity than women, with a Pew Research Center survey indicating that six in ten men under 30 are single.?
The study also found that about one in five men are either not seeking relationships or struggle to find partners. These loneliness statistics correlate with poor mental and physical health outcomes, including increased risks of premature death, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, dementia, depression, and stroke. Alarmingly, 40% of men surveyed met the criteria for depressive symptoms, and 44% experienced suicidal ideation recently.?
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Men are nearly four times more likely than women to commit suicide, accounting for nearly 80% of all suicides in the U.S., with the male suicide rate peaking at 14.3 per 100,000 in 2022.?
Several factors contribute to this crisis. Traditional male spaces and institutions that once fostered connections have declined, leaving many men struggling to form meaningful relationships .? Cultural expectations around masculinity often discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking emotional support.?
Additionally, the rise of digital technology and social media has led some men to retreat into online spaces rather than cultivating in-person connections.
To address this issue, several approaches can be taken. Creating more opportunities for men to connect in person, such as through organized men's groups or wilderness retreats, can help foster deeper relationships.?
Encouraging men to be more vulnerable and open with each other can accelerate the formation of meaningful friendships. For older men, maintaining existing friendships and actively seeking new connections, even as family responsibilities increase, is crucial.? They can also participate in clubs, sports teams, or hobby groups to meet like-minded individuals.
Tucson, AZ
1 个月The unfortunate reality is that this data is outdated, and it’s difficult for our culture to accept because it challenges the prevailing narrative that men are inherently abusive. In higher education, when this topic is raised, it’s often dismissed or deflected with hostility toward men, reinforcing damaging stereotypes. For my entire life, I’ve been made to feel like a threat, constantly told that women are never safe, and it’s all men’s fault. With three generations—Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—born long after the 1950s, it’s puzzling why we’re still using emotionally loaded scare tactics from that era. Given these dynamics, we shouldn’t be surprised that there’s a crisis among men today.
CRCM Banking & Lending Professional
1 个月I can totally see how this would be true in today's society. Men just don't form close, long-lasting relationships for some reason. I think men just get involved with their work and families and friends fall to the side. Unfortunate, but accurate.
Building connections, one story at a time.
1 个月Men should also be open to being friends with women without expectations of sexual intimacy. We make wonderful and supportive friends with other women, no reason why we can't extend that to men as well.
Tucson, AZ
1 个月The research indicates that there is a general decline in sexual activity among certain male demographics. However, these same groups often face significant scrutiny and criticism in public discourse around issues of sexual misconduct and abuse. This can sometimes lead to tension between statistical trends and the broader societal narrative, particularly in discussions about gender dynamics. But the fact remains the article is absolutely right and it’s something we’ve been saying.
Talent Acquisition-Recruiting | Project & Business Management | USN Veteran//Veteran Advocate/Coach | Active Clearance
1 个月This article very informative and we also need to Keep Men (Dads) in thier children (offspring) lives! Our current society is very disconnected and need to realize God issued roles and they need to be respected! Our Government needs to step out of the equation and hold both parents accountable!!if you hold a man accountable and respect him as a man - he will do well in life!