Men Tell All: The Worst Aspect of Being a Man in 2024

Men are having a rough go. Although some think being male is life in easy mode, the harsh reality is most men struggle. Men share the worst things about being a man. 

Financial Stress

poor man looking at the small pile of change that came out of his piggy bank.
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With rising costs on everything except wages, many men are feeling the financial heat. They’re worried about how they’re going to put food on the table for their families, but they’re trying hard not to show it. 

Social Isolation

sad man sits with his hand on his head looking regretful.
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The rise of the internet led to more isolation among men, especially introverted men. As everyone turned inwards and hid behind their computer screens, the opportunities for social interaction, especially for introverts, disappeared. 

Surface Level Relationships

male friends smiling and hugging.
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Society has strict standards for male friendships. You can only discuss sports, cars, and your latest conquest. There can be no discussion of more profound matters, such as mental health struggles, the truth about how you feel at work or meaningful relationships. 

Dating Apps

Man and woman's hands holding their phones next to each other. Each has a picture of themself holding a piece of a heart on their phone to represent dating apps.
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Dating apps destroyed dating. Men still use them to find a partner, but most women become weary of the platforms after a few rotten apples. The men on apps vastly outnumber the women, and men aren’t sure where else to go to find potential partners. 

Stigma Against Emotions

Man making a sad face who looks pitiful on an orange background.
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Men aren’t allowed to feel sadness, depression, or loneliness. They can’t enjoy the full range of human emotions because anything outside anger is deemed “unmanly.”

Wrong No Matter What

An unsure confused man wearing a white t-shirt scratching his head.
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Society tells men they should seek support, but when they do, it tells them to “man up” and “deal with it.”  We tell men they must be more involved fathers then side eye them at the park. We tell them they should spend more time with their famillies then scoff when they aren’t good providers. Society sends men a lot of mixed messages. 

Abuse Victims

Man sitting with his hands near his chin, sadly thinking and seriously thinking
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Society still sees men as the aggressor and women as victims of abuse. Though statistically, that’s true, statistics never tell the whole story. We must take each incident as unique rather than point to statistics thinking we know what happened. People of either gender can be abusive. 

Zero Support

Potrait of a man who looks scared to represent weird phobias.
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Society offers a plethora of programs to assist marginalized communities, but white men, as they’re not part of a marginalized community, typically don’t qualify. 

White men need support too, and there are few opportunities for them. 

It’s All on You

Businessman stands with a hand on his hip and another rubbing his face to show he's overwhelmed.
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The myth of rugged individualism hurts men. Society raises men to believe everything rests on their shoulders. They must be great providers, perfect husbands, stoic leaders, and everything to everyone. It’s too much for anyone; men often freeze under the overwhelming burden. 

Being Good With Kids

Father and son building an RC car together.
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Society stigmatizes men who are good with kids. A dad at the park gets side-eyed glances from the mothers. Men rarely get positions in daycare facilities or as primary school teachers. Women see Nurturing men as creepy and other men deem them “unmanly.” They can’t win. 

Unable To Provide

sad man looking into his empty wallet
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We call men “providers” while destroying their ability to provide. Blue-collar jobs no longer provide a living wage for one, much less for a family. Even white-collar workers need a partner to help with the builds. 

Society created a massive group of men whose self-worth is based on their ability to provide, and then destroyed all their options for doing so, then wonders why men are having a tough time. 

Lack of Purpose

Sad unsure man scratching his head and doubting himself.
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Men are really feeling the pressures of daily life. They work a grueling job, can barely pay the bills, have no free time, can’t afford to date, and end up thinking, “Is this all there is?” 

It’s not just men. All of our lives lack purpose. Our society worships the mighty dollar, and if you don’t make enough, you’re unworthy. 

Something needs to change. 

The “Girly” Label on Things You Enjoy

A man faceplaming
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Men share the weirdest things they’ve been called “girly” for enjoying

Getting Stuck in the Life Script

couple sitting at a table. Man looks happy, woman looks bored.
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Find out how the life script keeps us trapped and miserable.

Thats Not a Flex – Weird Things People Are Proud of

Woman with glasses and one eye closed looks confused and unsure of herself.
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People boast about the weirdest things. Here are the  

Change Starts With You – How Journaling Can Boost Your Mental Health

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Increase your health and wellness with a simple, low cost tool: Journaling. But don’t take our word for it. 

Mental health experts speak out about all the benefits journaling offers

Be True To Yourself

Happy man holding a video game controller sitting on a couch like he's playing a game.
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To live a happy, healthy, life, you must be true to yourself. It can be hard to be ourselves when society wants to force us to be something we’re not. Here are 16 ways to be unapologetically you
 

Source: Reddit