The Loneliness Epidemic: And Why It’s Particularly Affecting Men Over 45

The alarm bells are ringing on a loneliness epidemic, and midlife men are at the center of it. In recent years, roughly half of Americans of all ages have reported feeling lonely. But men around the age of 45 and up are often hit especially hard. Cultural expectations and fast-paced careers have led many men to prioritize work over personal life for decades, only to find their social circles diminished as they enter midlife. Friendships that were easy in youth can fade after years of long hours at the office, business trips, and family obligations. By their late 40s or 50s, many men wake up to an uncomfortable truth: outside of work, they don’t have the close friends or strong support network they once did.