ifstudies.org
2026-06-26
Men in America are not 'alright.' Whether it is men falling behind in the job market, not attending college, or never leaving their childhood home, American men are clearly in trouble. But not all men have been equally hit. Working-class men have especially faced the brunt of the happiness recession.
Experts from all leanings have provided explanations for why men, especially blue-collar men, are doing so poorly. Economists point to data that show how the working class has been left behind. Journalists suggest that insidious ideologies among the less educated share the blame. And some influencers argue that it's the crisis in masculinity that explains male discontent. But woefully missing from this conversation is a factor hidden in plain sight: the family.
Beyond the Paycheck: What's Behind America's Marriage Divide? by Rachel Sheffield
Unhappiness is rising for working-class men by Grant Bailey