The Male Loneliness Epidemic.
Are Men Lonely, or Not Lonely Enough?
Men are lonely. At least, that's what we've been told."
Over the past few years, the phrase "male loneliness epidemic" has become viral on social media, stating that men as a collective are going through an epidemic of loneliness. Podcasts discuss it. Social media influencers blame everything from feminism to dating apps for it. Blogs and vlogs are talking about it. Online forums are discussing it. Men blame women as a whole. What is this epidemic?
As per Healthline, the term âmale loneliness epidemicâ describes a potential increase in feelings of loneliness and social isolation experienced by people assigned male at birth or who identify as men. To put it in simple words, men have been coming up on social media, talking about their loneliness and how no woman is ready to date and form a family just because. But these reasons are not entirely true. There are many factors contributing to this so-called epidemic, lol.
The thing is, men aren't lonely enough to understand why many women are increasingly cautious about relationships. Across the world, women continue to face disproportionate rates of domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, coercive control, and sexual harassment. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly one in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. The United Nations similarly identifies violence against women as one of the most widespread human rights violations worldwide. Still, discussions covering male loneliness often bind women as the rationale of men's isolation, while overlooking the very real fears and risks many women navigate when forming relationships.
And another question arises: if loneliness is an issue, why is the solution a (romantic) relationship, but not friendships, hobbies, or forming therapy communities? The Internet can be used for various reasons, such as forming friendships, joining online communities, participating in discussion groups, and connecting with people who share similar interests. In addition, sports clubs, volunteer clubs where men can help out other men emotionally, book clubs, and countless other social societies where lonely men can help out other lonely men. Therapy and mental health support are more accessible and openly discussed than at any point in modern history. I mean, the internet can be used for so many reasons instead of just spreading hate and sexist comments towards women, right?
How easy it can be for men to find and build companionships towards other men instead of coming up on social media apps and talking about how women donât want to sleep with you. Why is it hard for men, ESPECIALLY men, to form friendships with even women? I am not despising men here, but to think about it, there is no such thing as a ââMale Loneliness Epidemicââ.
Make people feel safe with you, side with womenâs rights, stop shaming feminists, stop being a raging racist, stop shaming women for the clothes they wear, and gain empathy.
ââMen wonât believe women are single by choice because men arenât single by choice.ââ-some awesome human on Twitter (yes, I donât call it X).
MEN, do better, be better.
