122 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
I would say that there is a loneliness epidemic for everybody that manifests differently in men and women. That's why I think framing it as the "male loneliness epidemic" is a little counterproductive. But I also think brushing it off or saying it doesn't exist is counterproductive, since I think there is a lot to talk about in how it impacts genders differently. Arguing over whether it impacts men or women more or is just talking in circles around a very real and important issue that we should all be invested in solving for everybody
Comment by redsalmon67 at 15/02/2025 at 09:49 UTC
43 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m shocked by how often people in progressive spaces react negatively to this notion, on more than one occasion I’ve had people jump down my throat or downvote me when I say this this doesn’t just effect men and dismissing as if it’s just some “oh poor men” thing isn’t going to help because whatever is causing it doesn’t just effect men and is having tangible effects on the way people communicate.
Comment by Intelligent-You983 at 20/02/2025 at 11:14 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's also not necessarily about more or less. I honestly think it has a lot to do with a fairly universal sense of social isolation combined with most men in the US having very small social circles and support network. There's no way it couldn't be a huge problem in It's own unique way.
Comment by pretenditscherrylube at 17/02/2025 at 19:57 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I mean, 100% agree there's a universal loneliness problem, and the approach to supporting people depends on gender and other factors.
However, I also 100% understand why "the male loneliness epidemic" elicits eyerolls from women and especially feminists. It's not because we think men should be lonely or whatever. It's because "the male loneliness epidemic" is a misogynist dogwhistle, just like "June is men's mental health month" is a homophobic dogwhistle. We can see the male loneliness epidemic becoming a rightwing talking point meant to blame feminism and women as the cause, as the reason why we should roll back women's rights.
Men's mental health is almost always used as a rightwing misogyny campaign (think about how much rightwingers care about men's mental health when it comes to refusing gun reforms after mass shootings; it's always a convenient excuse to further other political positions, but never the main position). And, too often, well-intentioned men fall for it and start piling on.