Masculinity Crisis: Why Young Men Are Failing
A Battle That Needs Our Focus
Just imagine: A young Spartan warrior, in ancient Greece, forged in the fires of discipline and purpose. From young, he trained rigorously, learning to wield a spear not only for battle, but for the protection of his family and city.
His masculinity was a shield: strong, unyielding, rooted in virtues like courage, honour, and self-sacrifice.
Fast-forward to today: a 25-year-old man in a dimly lit basement, scrolling endlessly through social media, jobless and directionless, his dreams drowned in a sea of video games and fleeting distractions. This is the stark reality for millions of young men across the globe.
Why are they failing? And more importantly, how can we reclaim the essence of manhood while adapting to a world that's changed beyond recognition? Buckle up.
This is a call to arms for society to wake up before an entire generation is lost.
The numbers paint a grim picture, one that echoes the fall of great civilizations when men lost their way. In the United States, boys and young men are lagging in education, with girls outperforming them in high school graduation rates and college enrolment by significant margins. By 2023, young men aged 18-24 were spending nearly 20% more time alone than in 2019, averaging just 6.6 non-sleeping hours daily in social interactions.
Employment woes compound this: young men face higher unemployment rates, and for the first time in a century, 30-year-old American men are faring worse economically than their parents' generation.
Mental health is the silent killer here. Suicide rates for men aged 15-24 went up to 21 per 100,000 in 2023 - nearly double the 1968 figure of 11. Men overall die by suicide at four times the rate of women, making up nearly 80% of all U.S. suicides! Shocking isn’t it?
Sadly, there are symptoms of a deeper condition. It is the result of replacing purpose by purposelessness.
A Perfect Storm of Modern Challenges
In order to understand this crisis we need to understand the root causes. It all starts with the erosion of traditional structures. Fatherless homes has become an epidemic. Over 20 million American children today grow up without a dad. This deprives boys of male role models who teach resilience and accountability.
The public school system, are dominated by female teachers. And this is not meant as an offense to women. But with an over 75% female dominance in elementary levels, boys' natural energy is stifled. Their restlessness is treated as a disorder rather than channelling it productively.
Add to this the decline of industrial jobs: manufacturing roles that once offered blue-collar men dignity and purpose have vanished, leaving many without viable paths to provision. A staggering 86% of men still define manhood by being a "provider," yet economic anxiety grips them as wages stagnate and housing costs soar.
Then there's the biological assault. Testosterone levels have plummeted 50% in recent decades, alongside a 60% drop in sperm counts, thanks to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, pesticides, and processed foods.
Young men, their hormones haywire, turn to hedonic traps: porn addiction affects 70% of men under 30, video games consume hours that could build skills, and drugs like opioids claim lives at alarming rates.
Young men are three times more likely to overdose than women. Social media exacerbates isolation; nearly half of male teens have never dated, their social skills atrophied by screens. The #MeToo movement, while necessary for accountability, has left many young men paralyzed by fear of rejection or misinterpretation, viewing even innocent crushes as potential pitfalls.
Feminism's rise, too, plays a role but not as a villain, but as an unbalanced force. Empowering women is laudable, echoing the strong female figures in ancient lore like Athena or the Amazon warriors. But in the process, masculinity has been demonized. Boys hear "toxic masculinity" more than "healthy manhood," leading to confusion. As one observer notes, young men are "socially emasculated," struggling to form genuine relationships amid instant gratification culture.
The vacuum fills with performative online "alpha" nonsense, bro podcasts peddling superficial dominance or worse, extremist ideologies that exploit their desperation.
Lessons from Ancient Manhood
In ancient Mesopotamia - where I often draw insights from my research at Ancient Origins, men were the backbone of society. They were the hunters, builders, protectors. Assyrian kings embodied masculinity through leadership and conquest, but also through wisdom and family stewardship.
In the same spirit, the Greek philosophers (and other thinkers) engaged in a debate about what it meant to be a man, and Aristotle even described a certain kind of "magnanimous man" exhibiting not just physical power but virtuous power.
Traditional masculinity has to do with being responsible, not dominating, as it is often assumed today.
Men historically provided, protected, and exercised virtue. In a very real sense, these were the values which constructed civilizations that endured for millennium. Today, however, young men find themselves lost in a powerful anti-masculine stream of social moulding, as they are bombarded with messages condemning courage as "toxic" and aspiration as oppressive.
Let’s consider other fascinating historical examples. In Egypt, pharaohs like Ramses II, were warriors, builders, but also diplomats invested in peace treaties. Viking men were savage raiders, but were also craftsman and engaged fathers. So, you can see the male experience was not static, it was also evolving as well. That should give you an idea of what modern young men could do with that, through engaging in trades, starting a business, or leading communities.
An interesting fact: During the Renaissance, the painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, embodied the masculine resourcefulness and artistic sensibility that created inventions that shaped the world. We need that fusion now, strength with empathy.
The Timeless Foundation
It must be clear by now that I firmly support traditional masculinity as the foundation for a fulfilling life. And it is not only me. I have history on my side too!
Roman Stoics like Marcus Aurelius, taught us that true strength lies in self-control and duty. Men who embrace provider roles also build stable families. Those with physical prowess protect communities.
So, I am sorry modern society. Bravery is not toxic. It is essential, as seen in the heroes of Thermopylae who held off invaders for the greater good. These heroes helped shape our world in multiple ways.
Traditional values foster purpose. Marriage rates drop when men can't provide, but studies show married men live longer, healthier lives. We must celebrate these traits. Courage, honour, resilience, are timeless virtues and not relics!
Evolving Without Losing Essence
That said, let me make myself clear. Blind faith in the past won't save us. Adaptation is crucial. It is part of evolution and has been a key throughout human history. It is how ancient societies evolved.
The Spartans integrated strategy with brute force. Modern men must blend tradition with emotional intelligence.
We need to redefine provision to be not only financial but also emotional support in partnerships.
Yes to learning digital skills for new economies, but pair them with physical fitness, hit the gym, hike like ancient explorers, to boost testosterone naturally.
Mentorship programs, like those in scouting, can address boyhood crises by providing role models. Although I have to say, as an ex scout leader, that scouting is not what it used to be. It has become a victim of progressiveness too…
Society must change: schools need more male educators, workplaces flexible policies that value men's contributions without pitting genders against each other.
Turning the Tide
There are solutions, we only need to act..
Parents: instil discipline early, limit screens, encourage outdoor adventures.
Governments: invest in vocational training and services tailored for men.
Communities: revive rites of passage, like ancient initiation ceremonies, to mark manhood's milestones.
Personally, as a father of a boy, I emphasize meritocracy and performance-based leadership, values from my tech and historical research background.
Teach boys to explore frontiers, even if it's virtual innovation or space tech, echoing humanity's exploratory spirit.
A Crossroads for the Future
In conclusion, the masculinity crisis isn't inevitable doom. Yes, it is at a crossroads.
Young men are failing because we've stripped them of purpose, poisoned their bodies, and confused their minds.
But by championing traditional values such as strength, responsibility, honour, while adapting to modern realities like emotional openness and new skills, we can forge a new era of manhood.
History give us a warning: Empires fall when men falter. We do not want to repeat that – even though we know that history repeats itself. What we need is to rise like the ancients. Come back resilient, adaptive, unbreakable. Our sons, brothers, and future depend on it.
As you have probably already observed, I like ending my articles with a question that prompts action. So, what will you do today to turn the tide?
Related:
Why aren't men masculine anymore?
The erosion of manhood and its causes
https://sotiris.substack.com/p/why-arent-men-masculine-anymore
Your historical parallels make the argument vivid, and the call for blending timeless virtues with modern adaptability feels both urgent and hopeful. Another high level read.