Young men commit suicide at
four times the rate of young women. Younger men are largely responsible for rising rates of
mass shootings, a trend some researchers link to their growing social isolation.
Scholars say the new era of gender parity has reshaped relationship dynamics, empowering young women and, in many cases, removing young men from the equation.
“Women don’t need to be in long-term relationships. They don’t need to be married. They’d rather go to brunch with friends than have a horrible date,” said Greg Matos, a couple and family psychologist in Los Angeles, who recently penned a
viral article titled “What’s Behind the Rise of Lonely, Single Men.”
Only half of single men are actively seeking relationships or even casual dates, according to Pew. That figure is declining.
Young men “are watching a lot of social media, they’re watching a lot of porn, and I think they’re getting a lot of their needs met without having to go out. And I think that’s starting to be a habit.” .
Heterosexual women are getting more choosy. Women “don’t want to marry down,” to form a long-term relationship to a man with less education and earnings than herself, said Ronald Levant, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Akron and author of several books on masculinity.
