Marriage significantly contributes to men's sense of purpose and well-being, providing a stabilizing influence that is often lacking in their lives. Men frequently experience a civilizing effect through marriage, which fosters involvement in communal and familial activities, enhancing their sense of responsibility and mattering to others. As marriage becomes less common, men may struggle more acutely with isolation and loneliness, which adversely impacts their mental health. Recent data suggests that men now rate marriage and parenting as more essential than women, indicating a cultural shift that underscores their desire for these institutional structures. Furthermore, divorced men face severe declines in health, income stability, and increased vulnerability to mental health issues, as evidenced by significantly higher suicide rates compared to divorced women. Ultimately, these findings highlight that the traditional frameworks of marriage and family are critical for men's overall health and fulfillment, and their absence can lead to profound struggles for men in modern society.
Many boys and men in America are doing worse than girls and women in education while struggling with a culture that struggles to define what masculinity is in the 21st century. Is this a problem? Richard Reeves thinks so which is why he started the American Institute for Boys and Men. Listen as Reeves discusses the state of boys and men and what might be done about it with EconTalk's Russ Roberts.