Are video games,birth rate, drugs, and changes irt masculinity actually a problem for the west?
I use the term changes toward masculinity. Some people believe masculinity is under attack. Others simply say that there is a change in the west wrt our society…. Ie we don’t see as many traditional families as we used to. There’s more female headed households. Society views marijuana use different compared to the past ….So there’s a lot of these changes, but folks say everything will eventually be fine while others feel like we are headed down a bad path.
I’m going to ask people if they think things like overt marijuana use, playing video games too much and changes in general to masculinity and a patriarchal society is a problem for the west.
Are these things a threat or is western society simply changing?
The share of Americans who are in the middle class is smaller than it used to be. In 1971, 61% of Americans lived in middle-class households. By 2023, the share had fallen to 51%, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of government data.
Cool AI slop
grunch (tl;dr): nah
I guess this can stay but posting a bunch of ai slop is generally not allowed
There is a worldwide problem with dopamine overstimulation across all demographics. I'd imagine phones and social media are a much bigger issue than video games and weed, considering those things have been around for a while and these trends are more recent.
I dont know what you mean about changes in general to masculinity. There are definitely a lot of media pushing young men into a perpetual victim mindset though, which I think is a big negative and seems to tend to lead these men down a path not congruent with my personal view of traditional masculinity.
I’m already overstimulated. Why not.
There is a worldwide problem with dopamine overstimulation across all demographics. I'd imagine phones and social media are a much bigger issue than video games and weed, considering those things have been around for a while and these trends are more recent.I dont know what you mean about changes in general to masculinity. There are definitely a lot of media pushing young men i
Social media is by far worse than all of the factors listed in the OP. Social media also further exacerbates most of the problems caused by the listed factors.
There is a worldwide problem with dopamine overstimulation across all demographics. I'd imagine phones and social media are a much bigger issue than video games and weed, considering those things have been around for a while and these trends are more recent.I dont know what you mean about changes in general to masculinity. There are definitely a lot of media pushing young men i
It's absolutely smart phones and social media. Send the avg person back to even 2002 when they had to go to blockbuster, or buy porn vhs, or meet girls at the mall or use a landline, road maps, libraries and such for information. You'd send them into a state of withdrawal for the lack of constant stimulation - and I'd argue it would be a very good thing when they come out on the other end.
I think it's a little healthier on the dopamine meter to have to have to go down the store, and wait in line, to buy the physical copy, then drive down to the bookstore to buy the strategy guide for it when you're stuck then just get cocained with everything instantly whenever you want it.
80s-00s video games is a nothing burger. We are rats in a cage being delivered a rewarding substance whenever we want it now. Run away from it!
Google AI is just as good if not better compared to CNN or Fox News. anyways all of the points listed are backed up by articles connected to the AI. I simply posted it so that way people wouldn’t have to dig through Link after link.
Here you go though
So all of the stuff is true. We have record low birth rates in America. Record numbers of young men who are single. Can also throw a record high depression rates in the USA. For people who want to blow it off and say too long, didn’t read, or blah blah AI….doesn’t matter that’s a nothing burger ….. American society is changing perceptions of masculinity and “the patriarchy” is changing. The question is will this create a long-term negative trend or will things be OK.
Google AI is just as good if not better compared to CNN or Fox News. anyways all of the points listed are backed up by articles connected to the AI. I simply posted it so that way people wouldn’t have to dig through Link after link.Here you go though
Neither Fox nor CNN are reputable so that’s not saying much. Maybe take a hint and stop copy pasting large swaths of AI slop.
There is a worldwide problem with dopamine overstimulation across all demographics. I'd imagine phones and social media are a much bigger issue than video games and weed, considering those things have been around for a while and these trends are more recent.I dont know what you mean about changes in general to masculinity. There are definitely a lot of media pushing young men i
The cell phone is certainly playing a role. Along with the rise more recently of social media apps like Instagram, where folks are staring at their phone all day getting 60 second videos.
As for changes of masculinity, well, perhaps there could be a few ways to address that or look at it. I think it’s safe to say that Hollywood much of the media are approaching the traditional values, the traditional family, the patriarchy in a much different way than they were even 15 years ago. I mean, think of the Metoo movement for example. Think of the rise of BLM. Think of cancel culture…
Now to your point it could perhaps be easy for a young man who is hooked on drugs, playing video games all day to just blame everybody else and get attached to a toxic masculine influencer or something like that. But the numbers are the numbers and the data shows We have record numbers of single young men. We have a very low birth rate in the USA. So the question is is this a good thing for the long-term? Will birth rates perhaps increase 30 years from now or will they decrease, does it not matter if it doesn’t changes. Will the future for the USAbe OK? Of course I mean there’s a lot of questions to ask. There’s different ways to approach the topic. But in general, perhaps two big starting points would be the record numbers of single young men and the record low birth rate in the Usa.
It’s a fair question and again there are multiple ways to approach this topic. But below is one interesting approach. And I don’t necessarily agree with everything the author of the article is saying, but it’s one way to address the issue. The following is a small sampling of quite a lengthy article on the topic.
Today, it feels like men are lost. They’re apologizing for their existence, walking on eggshells in conversations, and feeling like they need to justify their masculinity rather than embrace it. Society tells men to be strong but also vulnerable, to lead but not be dominant, to succeed but not outshine others. It’s confusing. And for many men, it’s exhausting.
I’ve lived in different parts of the world, and I’ve seen this shift firsthand. In places like the West, UK, USA, Europe masculinity often feels like something that’s under attack. If a man holds the door open for a woman, he risks being labeled as patronizing. If he asserts himself in a conversation, he’s called aggressive. But in places like the Middle East, Africa, Asia masculinity is still celebrated. Men are expected to be leaders, protectors, and providers without shame. They don’t have to apologize for embracing traditional masculine values. The contrast is staggering.
Some argue that masculinity isn’t dying; it’s just evolving. That today’s man is more emotionally aware, more in tune with his feelings, and more willing to embrace vulnerability. But let’s be honest, does anyone truly respect a weak man? Society says it wants men to be softer, but at the same time, it rewards those who are strong, confident, and decisive. Women still prefer masculine men. Businesses still want leaders who take charge. And in times of crisis, people don’t look for the most sensitive guy in the room, they look for the one who can handle the pressure.
The Changing Definition of Masculinity
Masculinity used to be clear-cut. Men were expected to be providers, protectors, and leaders. They worked hard, made sacrifices for their families, and carried the weight of responsibility on their shoulders. They didn’t complain, they didn’t seek validation, and they certainly didn’t wonder if their masculinity was "toxic." It was a role that, for centuries, provided men with a sense of purpose.
But today, the lines are blurred. Masculinity isn’t as straightforward as it once was. Some say that’s a good thing - that men are now free to express emotions, embrace their vulnerabilities, and step away from rigid gender roles. Others argue that in trying to redefine masculinity, society has stripped it of its essence, leaving men confused about what they’re supposed to be.
For decades, masculinity was built on three pillars: strength, responsibility, and leadership. These traits weren’t just valued - they were expected. A man’s worth wasn’t based on how he felt about himself, but on his ability to provide, to endure, and to stand firm when things got tough. That’s not to say that men weren’t emotional or caring, but their role wasn’t about self-discovery - it was about duty.
Compare that to today, where masculinity is no longer about what a man does, but about how he feels. The modern man is encouraged to focus on emotional intelligence, to be vulnerable, and to question the very idea of traditional masculinity. While these aren’t necessarily bad things, they raise an important question: If masculinity is about everything, does it still mean anything?
In the 1980s, they wanted to ban violence in movies because it would bring teenagers to kill people or something in that regard.
In the 1990 was to ban guns in video games for about the same reason.
Now OP claim a lost of masculinity by video games or w.e.
It was hor$h!t in the 80, it was hor$h!t in the 90s and it is hor$h!t still today with that masculinity thing .
But the interesting is if OP is a right wing person I suppose , he prone the same analysis of the 80,90 that was done by the left .
When we don’t like something we try to ban it or blame someone or something for it .
Left or right doesnt matter .
In the 1980s, they wanted to ban violence in movies because it would bring teenagers to kill people or something in that regard.In the 1990 was to ban guns in video games for about the same reason.Now OP claim a lost of masculinity by video games or w.e.It was hor$h!t in the 80, it was hor$h!t in the 90s and it is hor$h!t still today with that masculinity thing .But the interes
I consider myself a traditional Democrat. I admire the likes of FDR and John F. Kennedy. I do not agree with a lot of modern day Democrats I feel they have gone way too far to the left with things like cancel culture and wokeism…, I understand that for example to your point like in the 1990s, some politicians wanted to ban or censor rap music. We can talk about things like that, but here is a critical statistic. How about the fact that we have record numbers of single young men in America today. And record numbers of young people who are depressed. OK, what about that? Is it a problem? Because numerous sources say it are the sources incorrect. Will it readjust in the future?
Also as other people point out, there are so many differences today compared to the 1980s and 1990s. Like the easy access to pornography and the quick dopamine rushes people get on TikTok and Instagram watching 30 second videos…. also school shootings was not a thing really until Columbine in the 1990s. And there were just as many guns around before Columbine… the overwhelming majority of school shooters in the USA are young men. Why is that what’s going on? Why did that not occur in the past. Could it be a part of the change in attitude toward traditional values and masculinity. You might not think so, but it’s worth the conversation. Again that is a part of the conversation there’s a lot to be discussed here.
In this thread, I seek to get information and opinions from people on the topic. But for what it’s worth, I do believe that the high rate of single young men, the growth of the legalization of marijuana, the negative influences of social media are a problem. I do not have a problem with a strong female business woman for example.
Professor Scott Galloway has some really good insight into the topic. He is the farthest thing from some kind of a toxic, masculine man btw. If anything he leans left.
Sean Illing
When someone wants to know what you mean when you say that men are struggling, how do you sum it up?
Scott Galloway
Well, it’s just data. Men are four times as likely to kill themselves. If you walk into a morgue and you see five people who’ve died by suicide, four of them are men.
Men are not attaching to school, they’re not attaching to relationships, they’re not attaching to work. One in three men under the age of 30 has a girlfriend, while two in three women under the age of 30 have a boyfriend. You think, well, that’s mathematically impossible. It’s not, because women are dating older because they want more economically and emotionally viable men.
And the gag reflex you get from progressives and women when you start talking about struggling young men is understandable because no one was talking about it. And then some very unproductive voices entered into that void and this “manosphere” emerged where it was more what I would refer to as thinly veiled misogyny, where it starts off good, it starts off with “take control of your life, be more action-oriented, be physically fit,” and then it starts to go to these really ugly places — treating women as property, showing them who’s boss. And so the voices that entered this discussion initially were really unproductive voices.
……
We have to have an honest conversation around mating. Socioeconomically, men mate horizontally and down, and women mate horizontally and up. Three-quarters of women say economic viability is key to a mate, while only a quarter of men — now I think it’s a third — say it’s key to a mate.
How many times have we heard, “I know all of these great women who are high character, attractive, have their act together, but they can’t find a man”? Well, actually they can, they just can’t find a man they want to date. What you have is more and more reasons, including political bifurcation, where young people aren’t connecting, falling in love and mating, and forming households. And we have declining birth rates. If it wasn’t for immigration, we’d be in decline. And I think it leads to a lot of second-order effects around loneliness and depression and anxiety.
When men don’t have the prospect of a romantic relationship, they come off the rails. They’re less likely to be employed, they’re more likely to engage in misogynistic content, and some men, without the prospect of a romantic relationship, become shitty citizens.
What does that mean for society? Because the thing that the most violent, unstable societies have in common is a disproportionate number of young men who feel as if they have nothing to lose because they have no economic or romantic opportunities.
@montreal
I don’t believe I talked about violence in movies or video games. I get the point you are making.
What I brought up as a general point is are young men playing video games too much today?. combined with the growing legalization of marijuana throughout the country and the easy access to porn, the negative aspects of social media …..OK that is a part of the discussion. The big point and something to address are the record numbers of single young men in America and the record rates of depression among young women and young men. So that is regardless of the level of violence in video games today. That is a problem right ???
Will the numbers of young men and women who are depressed continue to grow, and Will the numbers of young men and by the way, young women who are single continue to grow as time goes on and is that a problem? What do you think?
Maybe you think the reporting is incorrect? But If you could acknowledge the numerous sources talking about the record numbers of depressed young people and record numbers of single young men and growing numbers of single young women…. We have to ask why is this happening today and not in the 1980s or 1990s? Is it because of the change in attitude toward masculinity and traditional values?
@montrealI don’t believe I talked about violence in movies or video games. I get the point you are making. What I brought up as a general point is are young men playing video games too much today?. combined with the growing legalization of marijuana throughout the country and the easy access to porn, the negative aspects of social media …..OK that is a part of the discussion.
Maybe it isn’t just an American thing ?
Maybe it’s a worldwide phenomenon in many western countries ?
fwiw videos games been around a very long time so I dunno why it would be such a big influencer today ….
ofc they are. they are fed to you by your White Supremacist pedophile Zionist billionaire overlords to keep you atomized and complacent.
Man does this thread suck ass
Maybe it isn’t just an American thing ?
Maybe it’s a worldwide phenomenon in many western countries ?
fwiw videos games been around a very long time so I dunno why it would be such a big influencer today ….
Well it’s not a worldwide phenomenon. In other countries there is a much higher birth rate compared to Usa.
In addition from earlier article in the thread,
“I’ve lived in different parts of the world, and I’ve seen this shift firsthand. In places like the West, UK, USA, Europe masculinity often feels like something that’s under attack. If a man holds the door open for a woman, he risks being labeled as patronizing. If he asserts himself in a conversation, he’s called aggressive. But in places like the Middle East, Africa, Asia masculinity is still celebrated. Men are expected to be leaders, protectors, and providers without shame. They don’t have to apologize for embracing traditional masculine values. The contrast is staggering.”
Never in my life have I felt my masculinity is under attack. Never been criticized or got anything other than a thank you for holding a door. Never been called aggressive for speaking assertively.
I don't think these things are happening nearly as often as this author or other anti woke influencers imply.
Even if they did, you could just like, shrug it off and go on with your life instead of making yourself a victim over it.
Young men are single in record numbers in part because they are being told that feminism/culture/wokeism are to blame for their unhappiness instead of themselves. Easy road from there to more severe misogynistic viewpoints that are extremely unattractive to most women. The ironic thing is, this is the total opposite of traditional masculine values these influencers portray themselves as promoting.
Birth rate problem certainly isn't unique to the west. I would imagine it will continue to fall as income inequality increases and confidence in a good outlook for future generations erodes. I think it could be an issue in the long term, but is more a symptom of the issues society faces today than the problem.
Well it’s not a worldwide phenomenon. In other countries there is a much higher birth rate compared to Usa.In addition from earlier article in the thread,“I’ve lived in different parts of the world, and I’ve seen this shift firsthand. In places like the West, UK, USA, Europe masculinity often feels like something that’s under attack. If a man hold
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
Yes in general poorer countries makes more babies .
I don’t see the correlation between birth rate and masculinity .
Yes some culture are patriarchal and other matriarchal.
Wtf cares really ?
You live a certain way of life and it’s five , sometimes values changes for w.e reasons .
Money is what count in the U.S. currently.
Maybe that’s the problem with wealth inequality instead of ….video games, DEI or w.e else ?
