Sociologists have increasingly argued that many men in the UK are experiencing both a crisis of masculinity and an epidemic of loneliness. These two ideas are connected: the crisis of masculinity describes structural and identity changes in what it means to be a man, while the loneliness epidemic captures the emotional and social effects of those changes. Together they show how transformations in economy, culture and gender norms have reshaped men’s lives in modern Britain.
What do sociologists mean by a “crisis of masculinity”?
The term became popular through the work of Máirtín Mac an Ghaill (1994). His ethnographic study The Making of Men examined working-class boys in British schools during the decline of industrial employment. He found that many were struggling to construct positive masculine identities when traditional male jobs and breadwinner roles were disappearing. Some responded by forming “macho lads” subcultures, rejecting education and showing resistance to authority as a way of maintaining a sense of masculine status.
Mac an Ghaill argued that these behaviours were not simply rebellion but reflected a deeper identity crisis caused by rapid social and economic change. The men’s former sense of worth had rested on work and family roles that were now collapsing.
Similarly, Raewyn Connell’s concept of hegemonic masculinity (1995; 2005) helps explain how certain forms of masculinity are privileged over others. This dominant version of manhood (strong, independent and emotionally controlled) sets an unrealistic standard. When men cannot live up to it they often experience shame or exclusion.
Other sociologists have developed these ideas. Jeff Hearn (1999) and James Messerschmidt (2018) note that globalisation and the diversification of gender roles have weakened old forms of male dominance, producing uncertainty and competition between masculinities. The result is what some researchers call a “crisis of male identity” in post-industrial societies.
From identity crisis to emotional crisis
The crisis Mac an Ghaill described has not disappeared; it has evolved into an emotional one. Sociologists and psychologists now highlight a growing epidemic of male loneliness, showing how men’s identity struggles are linked to isolation and mental distress.
The UK’s Community Life Survey (2024) found that 7 per cent of adults (around 3.1 million people) felt lonely “often or always”. Studies suggest men under-report loneliness because social norms discourage them from admitting vulnerability (Ratcliffe, 2023).
Research by King’s College London (2023) stresses that men’s loneliness is “misunderstood”, since men often express loneliness through withdrawal or irritability rather than verbalising it. Men are also less likely than women to use support networks or seek help for mental health problems (Addis & Mahalik, 2003).
A Guardian commentary (2025) noted that “loneliness is rife among young men” and encouraged men to reconnect offline. The Office for National Statistics reports that men’s suicide rate in England and Wales remains around three times higher than women’s (ONS, 2024). Many sociologists view this as evidence of how gender norms around stoicism limit men’s ability to express emotion or access support.
Why are men particularly affected?
- Economic and structural change
Mac an Ghaill linked masculinity to paid labour. Since the 1980s, deindustrialisation and the rise of precarious work have eroded male-dominated jobs (Hearn, 1999). This has weakened men’s social identity and reduced informal networks that once came with workplace communities. - Masculine norms and emotional restraint
Sociological and psychological research shows that ideals of self-reliance and emotional control are internalised early. Men fear appearing weak if they admit loneliness (Addis & Mahalik, 2003). This “stoicism trap” limits emotional expression and discourages help-seeking. - Friendship patterns and life transitions
Research by Michael Flood (2005) found that men’s friendships are often activity-based rather than emotionally intimate. When life circumstances change (such as job loss or relationship breakdown) these friendships can fade quickly. - Digital isolation
Online communication can give the illusion of connection. Sociologists such as Sherry Turkle (2017) argue that digital technologies often produce “alone together” interactions (constant contact but low intimacy). This particularly affects young men whose friendships are increasingly online. - Decline of community and social capital
Robert Putnam (2000) linked loneliness to the decline of clubs, unions and civic organisations. For men, such spaces historically provided friendship, identity and belonging. Their disappearance leaves fewer opportunities for male bonding.
Cultural signs of the loneliness epidemic
Cultural trends in Britain reflect these changes. The rise of Andy’s Man Club (founded 2016) shows that men are seeking new, non-judgemental spaces to talk about feelings. Its motto “It’s okay to talk” directly challenges the emotional restraint of traditional masculinity.
In popular culture, public figures such as Rio Ferdinand have discussed grief and fatherhood, breaking taboos around male emotion. Meanwhile, documentaries like Men in Crisis (Channel 4) and coverage in The Times and The Guardian have made loneliness among men a public topic.
These examples show that while awareness is growing, deep-rooted gender norms still discourage many men from forming close, emotionally supportive friendships.
How male loneliness differs from “incel” communities
Although both male loneliness and the “incel” (involuntary celibate) phenomenon arise from isolation, they represent different social reactions.
Sociological studies of incel groups (Ging, 2019; Baele et al., 2019) show that these online communities often express resentment and hostility towards women. Incel spaces provide belonging but reinforce negative beliefs and victimhood. They are a form of “toxic solidarity” rather than genuine support.
In contrast, most lonely men experience quiet isolation, not ideological anger. They may lack friendship networks but do not share the misogyny found in incel subcultures. Where incels externalise blame, lonely men internalise it, often turning sadness inward rather than outward aggression.
Sociologists therefore see incel culture as an extreme offshoot of the wider masculinity crisis (where isolation meets online radicalisation) rather than its mainstream expression.
Consequences of male loneliness
The social and health consequences are serious:
- Mental health – loneliness increases depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour (ONS, 2024).
- Physical health – isolation is linked with heart disease and early mortality (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010).
- Community life – disconnected men contribute to weaker social trust and civic participation (Putnam, 2000).
- Family relationships – men without supportive networks may struggle with relationships or parenting, continuing cycles of disconnection.
Sociologists emphasise that these problems are socially produced (through structural change and cultural norms) rather than purely individual failings.
What can be done?
Research highlights several approaches:
- Rebuild male-friendly community spaces (for example Andy’s Man Club or Men’s Sheds) that promote openness rather than competition.
- Challenge restrictive gender norms through education and media campaigns that redefine strength as empathy and care.
- Promote emotional literacy in schools (teaching boys to articulate feelings).
- Develop gender-sensitive mental health services that reach men using accessible language and environments.
- Reinvest in community participation to restore social capital and intergenerational connection.
These strategies reflect a sociological understanding that loneliness is not only a mental health issue but also a problem of social structure and cultural expectation.
Conclusion
The crisis of masculinity identified by Mac an Ghaill in the 1990s has become more complex. The same forces that undermined traditional male roles have now created an epidemic of male loneliness. Economic change, shifting gender norms and the erosion of community have left many men struggling to define themselves and to connect with others.
This loneliness differs from the anger of incel culture but stems from similar roots of disconnection and insecurity. Addressing it requires rethinking masculinity itself and creating spaces where men can form genuine friendships, express vulnerability and find belonging without shame.
For sociology students, this topic shows how social structure and personal experience intertwine (economic and cultural shifts producing emotional outcomes). Male loneliness is not just an individual problem; it is a mirror of how gender and society are changing in the 21st century.
References
Addis, M. & Mahalik, J. (2003) Men, Masculinity, and the Contexts of Help-Seeking. American Psychologist, 58(1), 5–14.
Baele, S. J., Brace, L. & Coan, T. G. (2019) From Incel to Revolt: The Role of Internet Communities in the Rise of Male Supremacist Extremism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 33(8), 1616–1638.
Connell, R. W. (1995) Masculinities. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Connell, R. W. & Messerschmidt, J. W. (2005) Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept. Gender & Society, 19(6), 829–859.
Flood, M. (2005) Men, Sex, and Homosociality: How Bonds Between Men Shape Their Sexual Relations with Women. Men and Masculinities, 8(3), 339–359.
Ging, D. (2019) Alphas, Betas, and Incels: Theorising the Masculinities of the Manosphere. Men and Masculinities, 22(4), 638–657.
Hearn, J. (1999) A Crisis in Masculinity or New Agendas for Men? In S. Walby (ed.) New Agendas for Women. London: Macmillan.
Hawkley, L. C. & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010) Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218–227.
King’s College London (2023) Men’s Loneliness is Misunderstood and the Solution isn’t Just About Social Contact. Available at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/mens-loneliness-is-misunderstood-and-the-solution-isnt-just-about-social-contact
Mac an Ghaill, M. (1994) The Making of Men: Masculinities, Sexualities and Schooling. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Office for National Statistics (2024) Suicides in England and Wales: 2023 Registrations. London: ONS.
Putnam, R. D. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Ratcliffe, E. (2023) Men’s Experiences of Loneliness: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. University of Leeds PhD Thesis.
Turkle, S. (2017) Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. London: Penguin.
Support and further help
If you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness or mental health difficulties, there are organisations that can help. Andy’s Man Club runs free weekly talking groups across the UK for men aged 18 and over (see andysmanclub.co.uk for locations and times). You can also contact Mind (mind.org.uk) for advice on mental health, or Samaritans by calling 116 123 if you need someone to talk to at any time. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
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