Relationships, Gender Roles, And Sex

Modern Loneliness Series

The ground has most definitely shifted! If your grandparents miraculously resurrect themselves and have to relive their youth in today's environment, they would be more than confused about gender roles.

Women today are more educated, more independent, and more financially self-sufficient than ever before. And while this is a net gain for society, it's created a seismic identity shift that many heterosexual men don't know how to navigate.

What happens when the traditional provider role no longer applies? What happens when men feel unnecessary or even unwanted?

A 2023 Pew Research study found that nearly 63% of single men under 30 are not actively pursuing a relationship. Many report feeling uncertain about what women want, afraid of being rejected or shamed, or simply lost in a culture that doesn't seem to value them.

When women say they want emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and partnership but still swipe right on the tall, aloof guy who texts once a week, what message does that send?

I am not blaming women. It's about acknowledging that when gender scripts change, everyone gets confused. Many women also have a hard time in this environment.