IFS report finds young men feel stuck and socially disconnected

A new Institute for Family Studies report based on a 2,000-person survey of American men ages 18-29 says many young men lack close friendships, feel shut out of the American Dream, and spend heavy time online. The findings point to a widening gap between the lives young men want and the pathways they believe are available to them.

Why it matters: - The report suggests many young men are struggling with isolation, pessimism and habits that may worsen mental health. - The findings point to a broader social problem: weaker community ties, lower civic participation and less confidence in economic mobility.

What happened: - The Institute for Family Studies released a report on the social lives, personal views and online activity of American men ages 18-29. - The report is based on a YouGov survey of 2,000 young men conducted April 7-15, 2025. - University of Virginia sociologist Joseph E. Davis, along with IFS scholars Michael Toscano and Ken Burchfiel, authored the report. - The report is the first part of a two-part series focused on young men.

The details: - Four in 10 young men have two or fewer close friends. - About 34% have one to two close friends. - Nearly 9% report zero close friends. - Fifty-seven percent take part in at least one community activity. - Thirty-one percent say they volunteer. - Twenty-nine percent belong to a faith-based group. - Twenty-seven percent belong to a social club. - Twenty-four percent belong to an adult sports league. - Fewer young men belong to other civic organizations. - About half agree that, "No matter how hard I work, people like me will never achieve the American Dream." - Seventy-two percent agree that "Who you know is more important than ability or hard work in getting ahead." - Gambling is common among the group. - Twenty-three percent gamble daily. - Another 12% gamble several times a week. - Another 21% gamble weekly or less. - Gaming is also widespread. - Forty-four percent play video games many times a day or more. - Another 42% play at least a few times a week. - Pornography use is also widespread. - Forty-two percent watch porn daily or several times a week. - That includes 27% who watch daily and 16% who watch several times a week. - Another 26% watch weekly or less. - Around two-thirds of regular online gamblers say the habit has caused at least some distress. - Among those who watch pornography many times a day or more, 43% report loneliness. - In that same group, 36% report feeling depressed. - Also in that group, 29% report feeling anxious.

Between the lines: - The survey paints a picture of young men who want conventional markers of adulthood but feel blocked from them. - The results also suggest that online behaviors are not just pastimes for some respondents; they are tied to emotional strain. - Co-author Michael Toscano said many young men want marriage, fatherhood, steady work and a strong social life, but feel trapped. - Toscano also said most commentary about young men misses what they want from life and how they see their circumstances.

What's next: - The Institute for Family Studies says this report is part one of a two-part series, so more findings on young men are expected. - The report appears intended to add young men's own perspectives to a broader national conversation about their futures.

The bottom line: - The report argues that many young men are not simply disengaged; they are discouraged, socially thinly connected and unsure the traditional path to adulthood is still open to them.