Male Loneliness: Men’s Silent Epidemic

Many men (in anonymous surveys) claim that they feel alone, with some even feeling crushing loneliness. Statistics regarding male isolation also reveal horrifying and heart-wrenching findings like a high suicide rates and premature deaths.

People who feel alone, male or female, are likely to die a premature death. According to a 2019 survey by UCLA Loneliness Scale, premature deaths have increased by 32 percent over 35 years. With every passing generation, young men are 1.6 times more likely to commit suicide than men of their previous generation.

With this alarmingly increasing death and suicide rates, it is important to offer support and ways to foster friendships for men that feel lonely.

What is Male Loneliness?

It is only natural for humans to crave the attention of another person. Social interaction is crucial for each person to stay healthy and successfully thrive in the world. While the internet and technology allow you to connect with other humans socially, the increasing rates of loneliness do not seem to come down.

Many people feel lonelier than ever. Although you may think that isolation is equivalent to feelings of loneliness, it is not entirely true. Isolation and living alone can trigger loneliness, but it is also possible to feel lonely in a crowd of people.

Feelings of loneliness are not good and can be very harmful to your physical health. According to one study, chronic loneliness is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This suggests that it can largely damage your physical and mental health.

Some experts describe loneliness as a silent epidemic, while others think it is a ticking bomb that can kill men across the globe. In the US alone, every one in three men suffers from loneliness. As this number keeps rising, experts also notice increased mental health cases and male suicides.

A lonely state of mind is more common among men than women. Male loneliness refers to a common feeling among men who experience the need to isolate themselves from the world. Men desire and crave friendships but are mostly unable to approach fellow men. Other times, it is hard to foster friendships.

According to several studies and research, male loneliness has been a leading cause of health issues in men. Obesity and heart disease are common health problems associated with loneliness in men. Furthermore, it can also lead to psychological disorders and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Signs of Male Loneliness

All males show different signs of loneliness due to their diverse backgrounds and brought-up. This makes it hard to characterize loneliness through symptoms. Nonetheless, the following signs can be significant indications:

• Inability to connect with fellow men
• Not having close friends
• The overwhelming feeling of loneliness around people
• Self-doubt and low self-esteem
• Feelings of exhaustion while trying to engage socially

What Causes Loneliness in Men?

Although many studies suggest women are lonelier than men, the truth remains. In any case, men experience loneliness that is often hidden. Some common factors that contribute to the increased risk of male loneliness include the following two factors.

Masculine Social Norms

From generation to generation, the patriarchy teaches men to be tough. Men are always conditioned to be strong and assertive. As we condition men into believing that they are alphas that are always strong, we also enforce the idea that they can’t show human emotion.

As men try and become alphas throughout their lifetime, they tend to ignore their desires of feeling loved and worthiness. They find it hard to express their vulnerability and emotions like love and loneliness. This toxic idea of masculinity eliminates the humane feelings of wanting to interact and show social and emotional skills.

Social Isolation

Numerous studies and surveys reveal women have denser social networks than men. Like how men are told to be ‘manly,’ people teach their daughters to value relationships more. Most women prioritize their relationships with friends, family, and spouses.

On the other hand, men find it difficult to do so due to a lack of teaching. This suggests that men are more likely to experience social isolation, which becomes a triggering factor for feelings of loneliness.

Men find it hard to foster friendships and relationships, leading to loneliness when they cannot confide in people.

Bottom Line

Male loneliness is more common than you think, making it a crucial issue that needs attention. While societal norms and brought-up contributes largely, men often experience many health issues associated with feeling isolated. They may be at a high risk of obesity, heart disease, and depression.

Experts believe that loneliness is deeply connected with the increased suicide rates among men.