Staff Reports
In today’s society, observing the trends among young men brings both a sense of nostalgia and a sprinkle of concern. Anyone with an internet connection can see the perils and pitfalls of looking to TikTok influencers for a sense of what’s real. These are often the folks entrenched in their own screens, perhaps offering a skewed glimpse into life. But there’s a broader issue at hand here that good, solid American values hint at—young men in this country are struggling with isolation and loneliness, and there’s plenty of blame to go around.
Over the past decade, society’s narrative has hammered away at ideas of toxic masculinity, leaving our boys uncertain about what it means to be a man. While a sense of humor can lighten the load, it doesn’t solve the problem. Our young men are discouraged from engaging in rough-and-tumble activities, like contact sports, as parents pull them out for fear of injury. But let’s face the facts: these are activities that help boys bond and learn resilience. One must only glance outside to see a lack of youngsters climbing trees or roaring down the street on a trusty bicycle. Perhaps some fresh bruises and broken bones wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world—who knew having a cast was once a teenage badge of honor?
Another puzzle piece sits snugly around nervous engagement with the real world due to an over-reliance on digital devices. The marvel of the smartphone is now a crutch, not a tool, creating a cocoon of safety that masquerades as connectivity. These rectangles steal away the joy of real interaction and the wondrous chaos of making mistakes and learning from them face-to-face. By being glued to devices, boys miss out on learning the art of conversation, of reading emotion in others, and even the cute awkwardness of their first crushes. Gone are the days when you could simply stroll over, say hi, and deal with the outcome like a champ. Now, boys must tread lightly or face the wrath of misunderstood intentions—fearful that a simple “hello” might be misconstrued in today’s hyper-sensitive world.
Throw into this mix the strange but true anecdote that not as many kids are yearning for the open road. They are not lining up at the DMV to grab their licenses and experience the freedom that a set of wheels once promised. Freedom, independence, and yes, even a bit of rebellion are part of the American spirit. But if our young men are stuck inside playing video games, isolated and staring into screens, rather than rolling the windows down and feeling the wind rush through their hair, something profound has clearly changed.
Finally, there’s the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdowns, a seismic shift that hit just as some boys were stepping into pivotal years of their lives. With bedrooms turned into classrooms and human interaction reduced to tiled video chats, the social development of many was put on ice. It’s fair to wonder if these years of enforced solitude created a trickle-down effect. Thankfully, many have since adjusted, but this generation may still feel the ripples long after the rest of us have moved on.
In the end, the answer might be blindingly simple and painfully old-fashioned: let boys be boys. Encourage them to engage in the world, warts and all. While society fiddles with screens and digital connectivity, perhaps what’s needed is a return to good, old-fashioned face-to-face interactions, with a side of tree climbing for good measure.
