Commentary
The United States is in the midst of a “silent crisis.” The number of lonely males in the United States continues to rise. What’s driving this epidemic of sadness, separation, and isolation?
As I’ve noted before, the average American has fewer friends today than at any other time in recent history. Women have closer friendships than men. Moreover, women are considerably more likely to have a best friend than men. The sharing of positive emotional experiences with close friends acts as a buffer against loneliness. People lacking strong social relationships are at a higher risk of early mortality. To compound matters, 63 percent of young men are single. Many of these men have little interest in pursuing a romantic relationship. This isn’t normal, and it’s certainly not healthy behavior….