- 16% of U.S. adults say they feel lonely or isolated all or most of the time—this is about one-in-six Americans, with similar shares for men and women. pewresearch.org
- Adults under 50 report higher loneliness (22%) than those 50 and older (9%), showing a clear generational gap. pewresearch.org
- Women are more likely than men to turn to friends, family, or professionals for emotional support when lonely, whereas men lean more heavily on spouses or partners. pewresearch.org
- Loneliness correlates with lower income and education, and unpartnered adults report higher levels than those who are married.
These results highlight that younger men are navigating loneliness differently—often leaning on peers rather than family or partners—and suggest a shift in how Gen Z defines support and connection. At Malestrum, we’ll explore what this means for masculinity today, asking whether traditional notions of “having each other’s back” still hold true across generations.
