Young Men Feel Lost

Four steps to finding yourself

This is a guest post by Jack Marx

As a 21-year-old male, reading Notes on Being a Man resonated with me because it drew attention to what’s affecting men my age.

That resonance led me to realize that men my age are lost. They are socially, financially, and emotionally lost—and no one wants to speak up.

Scott Galloway has become a prominent figure in addressing the issues facing young men today. In Notes on Being a Man, he tells his own life story and uses it to explain the struggles of young men today.

In Notes on Being a Man, Scott even goes as far as to say, “Seldom in recent memory has there been a cohort that’s fallen farther, faster.”

Who am I – And Why I’m Writing this

I study Economics at Northern Kentucky University and recently read this book based on Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani’s recommendation.

Little did I know that this book would change the way I think about my life and the lives of many others.

Now I want to share my reflection with others, and maybe help other young men along the way.

What follows is my take on the four forces influencing young men’s struggles, and where I think Scott Galloway is right.

Breaking It Down: Four Pressures Facing Young Men

1. Loneliness

Scott argues that men are spending more time alone and less out in real communities, and that this is compounded by screens and a lack of mentors.

He sums it up by bluntly saying,

there is nothing more dangerous than a lonely, broke young man.

His remedy is simple: get out of the house, build real routines, and have older men mentor younger men.

I agree with him. I see guys my age who have talent but no community, and it’s hard to grow when you’re always isolated.

Find community and get out. I coasted through college, but I stepped out of my comfort zone once, and the rest followed soon after.

• I joined The Haile Research Lab → Gained a community to grow

• I connected with Dr. A → Gained a Mentor

• Dr. A’s mentorship → Career advancement

Make the effort to take that first step, and it may just change your life.

2. Addictions

Scott describes the addictions plaguing men as dopamine traps: gambling, weed, alcohol, scrolling, gaming, or anything else that distracts. kyla scanlon wrote about the gambling issue and its impact on society.

Everyone is Gambling and No One is Happy

Scott’s view is that anxiety, isolation, and lack of direction make the escape tempting. His solution is to build structure, being honest about what’s “fun” vs. what’s harming you, and being willing to get help.

I feel this one personally. My generation struggles with attention and is distracted by social media. It’s easy to waste hours without noticing, and it takes real guardrails to break the loop. I’ve restricted social media, created routines, and still can’t seem to stop wasting time, but I’ve made progress.

Investing in yourself is key: create those guardrails and take the first step.

3. Economic Insecurity

The section that Decode Econ readers understand quite well.

Scott argues that young men feel pressure because they don’t see a clear path to adulthood, especially when they’re constantly comparing themselves to others online. He points to the high cost of living, a tough early-career market, and a sense that the system favors older generations. His advice is to prioritize skills, income, and stability before chasing status. Focus less on image and more on foundations.

His advice is simple: stop chasing status. Build skills. Build income. Build stability.

As someone about to graduate, I get it. I question what the future holds for me every day, but I keep taking steps forward.

Read a challenging book, take a tough class, find your passions, and create value in any way you can.

As your value increases, your economic anxieties will shrink.

4. Societal Pressures

The Modern View on Men is confusing

• Be strong, but also open up.

• Provide, but also don’t define yourself by work.

• Be confident, but don’t be aggressive.

Social media comparison makes that identity pressure even worse.

His solution is to choose simple code and build your own identity, not one copied from the internet.

This is the part I’ve been working on for the last few years. Meaningful connections helped me cut through the fog and find a clearer path. Be the man you want to be, not someone you’ve seen online.

There’s so much pressure to succeed quickly and early, but that’s not as easy as some make it seem. Failure and loss are natural, just a stop on your way up the mountain–don’t be scared to stumble.

The Bottom Line

Whether it be socially or economically, young men matter.

Young men are an important part of the future of the United States and, more broadly, the world. They are future leaders, workers, and caregivers.

This post isn’t about taking attention away from anyone else’s struggles. It’s about acknowledging a real problem.

Notes on Being a Man forced me to reflect and to speak up.

I’m glad I got an opportunity to shine a light on the issues facing young men. If my words influence just one person to acknowledge and add to the conversation, then I’ve succeeded.

Food for thought

• How do you feel about the current state of young men and masculinity?

• What part of the conversation do you feel isn’t getting acknowledged?

Please leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Special thanks to Dr. A for this opportunity to share my thoughts on Decode Econ, and for allowing me to contribute to Decode Econ as one of its RA’s.

— Jack Marx

About the Author

Jonathan Marx is a senior economics student at the Haile College of Business. He is a Research Fellow and a member of the Haile Research Lab. Jack is also a research assistant for Decode Econ. He graduates in May 2026. Reach out to Jack to learn more about how you can be the next Decode Econ Research Assistant.

Jack Marx at a Haile Research Lab meeting