A significant portion of young men in the United States are experiencing a "malaise," characterized by academic and professional struggles, a lack of direction, and a decline in societal structures that once provided clear life paths, according to a study by the Institute for Family Studies.
The survey of 2,000 young men reveals that many feel disengaged from social life, suffer from poor mental health, and engage in detrimental habits such as excessive video gaming, pornography consumption, and gambling. Researchers identified structural issues within society as the primary driver, noting a "thinning" of the social fabric and a decline in prescribed roles and clear occupational or educational trajectories.
Young men who followed formal education pathways, including college or trade school, are faring better, experiencing wider horizons for stable employment, friendships, marriage, and community engagement. However, this path is inaccessible to many due to financial constraints, family responsibilities, or fear of failure. The study found that 43% of young men agreed with the statement, "I am inclined to think I am a failure."
Economic shifts have further complicated the situation. Stagnating real wages for young men and the uncertainties introduced by gig work and new technologies have altered perceptions of employment. Over 60% of respondents feel they have little control over life events, viewing outcomes as random and circumstantial, and do not see a direct link between hard work and advancement.
The decline of traditional institutions like churches and volunteer organizations has left young men with less institutional support for building relationships. With approximately 60% of respondents reporting a consistently present father, the study also highlighted a concerning statistic: 12% of young men reported having been incarcerated at some point.
While some explanations for this male malaise point to individual deficiencies, the study suggests that most young men possess worthy goals, including marriage, children, and financial independence. They value belonging, relationships, and respect, and understand their roles as requiring responsibility and sacrifice. Many feel they are falling short and blame themselves.
This internal distress is exacerbated by frequent recourse to online activities. Daily gambling is reported by 23% of young men, and 27% watch pornography daily, habits associated with increased loneliness and depression. These self-destructive activities are being used as coping mechanisms by those struggling to find a path forward.
The study suggests that the rise of formlessness requires young men to be more self-determining, a complex mix of assertiveness, confidence, emotional intelligence, and team orientation. A large majority, 73%, believe it has become harder to define what it means to be a man in recent decades.
Despite these challenges, young men's views on role models are varied. While mothers (79%) and fathers (69%) were cited most frequently, celebrity role models included Barack Obama and LeBron James, each cited by 54% of respondents. Notably, more young men looked up to these figures than to religious leaders (46%). Andrew Tate was cited as a role model by 31% of young men.
Researchers concluded that the issue may not be a failure of manhood itself, but rather a symptom of societal impoverishment that asks young men to shoulder burdens of self-making without adequate support structures that prior generations benefited from.