Scott Galloway warns: Why young men are struggling in modern America and how to fix the crisis

Author and professor Scott Galloway has sounded an urgent alarm about what he calls a growing “crisis among young men.” During his appearance on TODAY, Galloway discussed his latest book, Notes on Being a Man, and shared insights into the struggles many young men now face across education, work, and relationships.

A Growing Crisis: Young Men Are Losing Their Way

Galloway paints a sobering picture of modern masculinity. He points to troubling statistics, nearly one in five men in their 30s still live with their parents, and 15% say they have no close friends. Even more alarming, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

In education, the gender gap has reversed. Women now earn nearly twice as many college degrees as men, with girls making up seven in ten high school valedictorians. Galloway attributes this shift to classroom systems that reward compliance over curiosity, leaving many boys feeling disconnected early on.

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Falling Behind in School, and in Life

According to Galloway, these academic struggles set off a chain reaction that extends into adulthood. When men fall behind in education, they often face challenges in employment, self-worth, and personal relationships.

“Men lose their role when they’re not economically viable,” he said, emphasizing that financial insecurity often translates into romantic and emotional instability. Research supports his claim, around 75% of women say economic stability is key when choosing a partner.

Isolation and the Disappearance of Male Spaces

Beyond money and education, Galloway believes men are suffering from a lack of community. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 40% of bars and pubs have closed, removing once-common social spaces where men found camaraderie and purpose. With fewer options for in-person connection, many retreat into screens, deepening isolation.

He warns that the digital age, while connected, has made real relationships harder to maintain, particularly for young men already struggling with self-image and belonging.

Galloway’s Solution: Rebuilding Mentorship and Emotional Bonds

Despite the grim statistics, Galloway remains optimistic. The key, he says, is emotional investment. “We need to get more emotionally involved in a young man’s life,” he told TODAY.

He emphasizes the importance of male role models: “The single point of failure for a young man is when he loses a male role model. Men my age have to step up. If we want better men, we have to be better men.”

His message is clear, solving this crisis requires empathy, involvement, and renewed purpose for men of all ages.

Public Reaction and Cultural Impact

Following his interview, social media lit up with praise for Galloway’s candor. Many viewers, especially parents and educators, applauded his willingness to confront a topic often avoided in public discussion. His book, Notes on Being a Man, continues to climb in popularity as conversations around masculinity, mentorship, and mental health grow louder.

FAQ– Scott Galloway’s Message on Young Men

Q1: What does Scott Galloway say about young men today?

Scott Galloway warns that young men are facing a crisis of purpose, connection, and identity, with many struggling academically, socially, and emotionally.

Q2: What is Galloway’s book Notes on Being a Man about?

The book explores how modern culture has left many men without clear direction and offers insights on rebuilding self-worth, discipline, and emotional strength.

Q3: Why does Galloway think young men are falling behind in education?

He argues that schools now reward behaviors more typical of girls, like compliance and attentiveness, while boys often disengage early and lose interest in academics.

Q4: What solutions does Scott Galloway propose?

Galloway calls for more male mentorship, emotional involvement, and community spaces that foster connection and purpose for young men.

Q5: What statistics did Scott Galloway share?

He highlighted that nearly one in five men in their 30s live with their parents, 15% have no close friends, and men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Q6: Why are men’s social spaces disappearing?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 40% of bars and pubs have closed, reducing spaces for men to bond and socialize offline.

Q7: What is the main takeaway from Galloway’s interview on TODAY?

That the crisis facing young men can be solved if older generations lead with compassion, mentorship, and example,  “If we want better men, we have to be better men.”