Societal Trends & Challenges - The percentage of 30-year-olds who are married and homeowners has declined from 50% in the 1950s to 12% currently [1] - Young men may lack social skills, leading to increased online communication and fragile relationships [3] - Pornography consumption is high, with over 50% of 12-year-old boys watching it [5][6] - Dating sites are optimized for user retention rather than relationship formation, contributing to loneliness [7] Economic Factors - Home prices have increased significantly relative to income since 1980, making homeownership unaffordable for many individuals [10] - Stagnant real wage growth, coupled with student loan debt, makes it difficult for young people to start families and achieve financial stability [19] - Government intervention in housing and education through programs like the Federal Home Loan Program and Federal Student Loan Program may have created bubbles of inaffordability [16][17] Generational & Educational Issues - A generation was wrongly advised to pursue university education to avoid job automation, leading to significant debt [22][23][24] - Trade jobs like electricians and plumbers can offer high income and no debt, potentially surpassing the financial well-being of some professionals with advanced degrees [24][25] Mental Health - Major depressive episodes are prevalent among US adults aged 18-25 [13] - Excessive internet use and social media can exacerbate feelings of isolation and inadequacy [15]