The Epidemic of Lonley Young Men and the Power of Fatherhood (Special Podcast Highlight)

Alright. It's time for some real talk. 

 

Patrick Madrid will tell you about this really alarming trend. Young men, especially teens and early adults, are becoming increasingly alienated from society. He blames much of this on the rise of social media and online dating, which often leave young men isolated and frustrated, especially when their online interactions don’t lead to real, meaningful relationships.

 

Patrick shares a clip from Professor Scott Galloway of NYU, who drops a pretty bold statement: "the most dangerous person in the world is a lonely, broke, young male." According to him, "we’re producing millions of them." Oof! Prof. Galloway explains how young men are swiping hundreds of times on dating apps, only to get ghosted and rejected, leading to feelings of worthlessness and isolation. Add in the disappearance of hands-on jobs like auto and woodshop, and it’s no wonder young men are struggling to find purpose. 

 

Now, Patrick doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he’s quick to note he’s thankful he never had to deal with online dating (he’s been married for decades). He paints a vivid picture of how different things are for today’s youth – from face-to-face dating to today's swipe-happy culture, which can leave young people feeling more disconnected than ever. The stats don’t lie: Prof. Galloway shares that 1 in 7 men has zero close friends, and 1 in 4 can’t even name a best friend. Yikes!

 

So, what’s the solution? According to Patrick, it starts with good fathers stepping up. He urges dads to get out from behind their own screens and actively engage with their sons. Whether it’s golfing, camping, or even just going for a walk, fathers need to spend quality time passing on wisdom and guiding their sons towards being godly, productive men. It's about creating fun moments where you can have one-on-one convos with your son about God, manhood, and what really matters in life. 

 

Time flies, and it’s too easy to look back and wish you'd spent more time bonding with your kids. You don't want that regret! Patrick recommends Steve Wood’s book "Legacy" as a good book for fathers to dig into. It will give solid advice on how to raise godly children and create a lasting impact. 

 

The loneliness epidemic won’t fix itself, and it’s up to fathers, and all of us, to help guide the next generation into a more connected, purposeful life. 

 

You can do this, dad! 

 

Feeling inspired? Share this with someone who could use a boost of fatherly wisdom!