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How to Survive the Male Loneliness Epidemic

A man leaning on a table with his hand on his head
The male loneliness epidemic is not a joke, and men must be prepared to avoid getting swept away by the tide of misery and isolation.

No man is an island.

We need others to survive and make our lives meaningful. We are at our best when we’re part of a community, and since humans are inherently social, we are often defined by the bonds we form.

To insist otherwise can make you susceptible to things like the male loneliness epidemic, which a lot of guys seem to be struggling with in recent years.

According to research published by the American Perspectives Survey, one in four men (or roughly 27 percent) have at least six close friends. This is a significant drop from three decades ago, when it was at 55 percent. What’s more, 15 percent say they don’t have close friends at all, and this number is five times more than it was in 1990.

Apparently, men’s social circles are becoming smaller and smaller. If you’re not careful, you can end up a victim of this widespread phenomenon, unable to pinpoint exactly where it all went wrong.

Why Is There a Male Loneliness Epidemic?

The epidemic of male loneliness is so much more than just a bunch of guys with no real friends.

It’s the result of changes in culture and societal expectations, as well as how interpersonal bonds have been affected by modern technology. With how fast-paced the world is today, coupled with the shift in things like traditional gender roles, it’s no surprise that some men find themselves getting the short end of the stick.

What used to be the default setting of men being independent and self-reliant can now manifest as isolation or an inability to ask help from others.

The reputation that men have when it comes to being strong and logical can turn into a dangerous (not to mention incorrect) assumption that they simply don’t experience emotions like women do.

How Men Can Avoid Being Lonely

If you’re a man dealing with the looming threat of the male loneliness epidemic or maybe just concerned about the possibility of spending the rest of your life alone and miserable, then you may need to start looking into some of these things: