Young Men Are Struggling in Love, Work, and Life. One Expert Thinks He Has a Solution to the Growing 'Crisis'

"Galloway, a professor and podcaster, examines the growing crisis among young men, who he says are struggling with purpose, connection, and identity. He points to a striking set of statistics that reveal how far men have fallen behind. Nearly one in five men in their 30s still live with their parents, and 15% report having no close friends. Men are also four times more likely to die by suicide than women."

""Seven in ten high school valedictorians are girls," Galloway said on TODAY, noting that schools tend to reward behaviors like sitting still, following directions, and trying to please the teacher, which tend to come more naturally to many girls. Boys, he added, are more likely to get in trouble for the same behavior and often start to check out of school much earlier."

Nearly one in five men in their 30s live with their parents, and 15% report having no close friends. Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. Women now earn almost two college degrees for every one earned by men, and seven in ten high school valedictorians are girls. Schools tend to reward behaviors in which girls often excel, while boys more often get in trouble and disengage. Falling behind in education commonly leads to struggles with work, relationships, and self-worth. Economic insecurity reduces many men's perceived desirability as partners. Widespread closures of community spaces since COVID have pushed many men toward screens. The crisis can be mitigated through intentional emotional engagement and rebuilt communal supports.

Read at TODAY.com