Something’s going on, and if you’re paying attention, you already see it. Fewer guys working. Fewer in school. Fewer giving a shit. This isn’t just about a few lazy kids on Xbox. It’s a pattern. A slow fade. And it’s all over the place.
Men are checking out. Not because they’re weak, but because everything they were promised turned out to be a lie.
Let’s get into it.
The Job Market’s a Joke
Used to be, you could graduate high school, get a factory job, stick with it, and retire with a pension. Now? You deliver burritos for tips or get micromanaged in a warehouse with no benefits. And you’re still broke.
They told you to grind. You did. Now you’re 26, still living at home, and can’t afford your own dentist. You’re not crazy for walking away. The system is.
College? More Like a Debt Trap
“Go to college, get a good job.” That line worked in 1985. Now it just gets you $100k in debt and a degree in something nobody hires for.
You’re not lazy for skipping college. You’re smart enough to know you need to assess when it’s worth it.
Mental Burnout’s Real—Even If You Don’t Say It
You’re exhausted. Not just tired, but the kind of burnout that doesn’t go away with sleep. And you don’t talk about it. Because no one taught you how.
Truth is, a lot of guys feel like shit but don’t know where to put it. So they shut up, scroll, drink, or disappear. And it works—until it doesn’t.
Nobody Tells You How to Be a Man Anymore
You’re told what not to be: Don’t be toxic. Don’t be cold. Don’t be a creep. Okay—so what should you be?
They never say.
And with no father figure, no mentors, and no crew, you’re stuck piecing it together from YouTube, memes, or your own damn mistakes. No wonder guys are drifting.
Here’s What We Do Instead
You don’t need a TED Talk. You need a path that doesn’t suck. Here’s what works:
Get a Skill, Not a Degree
Welding. Plumbing. Carpentry. HVAC. Whatever. Trade work pays and gives you purpose. College isn’t the only way to build a life. In fact, for a lot of guys, it’s the wrong way.
Handle Your Shit Quietly, But Seriously
No, you don’t have to spill your guts on social media. But take care of your head. Find a space that fits—gym, jiu-jitsu, cold showers, long walks. Something. Mental strength doesn’t mean silence. It means strategy.
Find Your Crew
You weren’t built to do life alone. Join a gym. Volunteer. Hit a meetup. Whatever gets you out of isolation. Brotherhood isn’t optional. It’s survival.
Be a Man by Building, Not Performing
You don’t need a brand. You need a backbone. Be the guy who shows up, works hard, stands tall, and keeps his word. No hashtags, no applause. Just solid. If you’ve checked out, I get it. But don’t stay out. You’ve got more in you than drifting and doomscrolling. The system’s broken, but you don’t have to be. Show up for yourself. Build your own rules. And help pull another guy up once you’re standing. That’s how we fix this. Not with blame. With action.