Men in Crisis

Economic and social changes have created new challenges for many men. Today, girls outperform boys in primary and secondary education, with women earning 58 percent of bachelor’s degrees. Shifts toward automation, globalization, and knowledge-based economies have eliminated many jobs that once provided stability for men without higher education, while the stereotyping of “pink-collar jobs,” such as health aide, as “women’s work” makes men reluctant to pursue work in these quickly growing industries. Rates of suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related deaths, characterized by some researchers as “deaths of despair,” are nearly two and a half times higher among men than women. 

The lack of societal engagement with men’s struggles has left a vacuum increasingly filled by populist politicians and manosphere influencers, who promote narratives that romanticize a return to traditional gender roles. Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign tapped into this vacuum and secured the votes of men — especially those under 50, who had largely voted for Biden in 2020 — by wide margins. 

For planners, the disregard of men’s struggles and their increasing frustrations is a sensitive but important societal trend. Planners strive to create equitable communities, yet discussions about equity often overlook how shifting gender dynamics and social alienation affect men. Neglecting the struggles of any group risks deepening polarization and resentment, factors that can undermine community trust and participation in civic processes. Planners have a role to play in creating environments that give everyone a sense of purpose, belonging, and opportunity.