Do you think the current dating problems contribute largely to the mental health crisis seen in young adults?

wtknight · 2024-02-11T06:37:33+00:00

Young people being more isolated is part of the problem, and not dating is part of being isolated, along with not having friends.

VirginAndIHateMyself · 2024-02-11T10:31:28+00:00

I think the two both kind of compound on one another, but they're both mostly caused by the same issue imo. Speaking from personal experience having no dating success ruins your mental health, but having shit mental health kind of ruins your dating options; no one wants to date a depressed person.

In saying that though, the cause of both is the proliferation of social media and the increased isolation. We've known for a long time now that social media is terrible for people mental health, but older people seem to take for granted is that while it's damaging for them too they at least spent their formative years without it. Gen Z is the first generation to basically spend the entirety of their formative years online and on social media - and I haven't seen any stats on it but just logically there's simply no way that hasn't had a massive impact on our psyche compared to previous generations.

As for isolation, it's a combination of there being less "need" to meet up with people irl (due to the aforementioned social media) and the lack of "third spaces". Third spaces is a concept I only learned of recently, and honestly as a Gen Z myself I never really considered it but we don't really have any places to just "hang out". Everywhere either expects you to pay money to hang out there (which Gen Z doesn't have), or if it doesn't cost money you can be sure there'll be some boomer mad that you're hanging out there.

No-Relationship-9376 · 2024-02-11T06:43:00+00:00

Objectively yes since statistically men in relationships have a better average mental well being than single men.

However, it’s kind of like answering an equation backwards because the poor mental health is definitely a part of why the current dating issues exist. There’s no easy solutions to any of this.

It’s a vicious circle on both ends. I’d say dating problems contribute around 30% of the mental health crisis which is extremely significant.

monkeybeast55 · 2024-02-11T05:36:38+00:00

I'm not sure all you people understand how much the world of the human has changed in the last 40 years. All of the sudden we plug humanity into INSTANT global communication free and overwhelming access to the all the world's information and misinformation. Add to that the globe playing musical migration chairs, kids living in cars instead of healthy exercise and fresh air. Add to that very real potential for global catastrophe with climate change. Add to that the total collapse in many countries of cultural tradition. Add to all those, problems with social circles, knowing how to communicate with real people, and changing of traditional gender norms. And, yeah, add to that changing of traditional dating. Then add to all that feedback loop effects. And you're wondering why young adults are having a mental health crisis???

By the way, young adults have always had dating problems. I certainly did back in the 70s. And I can tell you that 80% of the young adults I grew up with had mental health problems. I could tell you stories. Back then it was much more taboo to talk about. So I'm not so sure how much we really know about the mental health crisis 50 years ago vs. now. In many ways the young adults now seem much more self aware and mentally healthy.

2024-02-11T04:25:53+00:00

It probably does. Like I don’t go out as much any more. I spend more weekends laying in bed. I just don’t see a point in trying if this is how it’s gonna be.

GridReXX · 2024-02-11T04:36:22+00:00

I think it absolutely does. Human beings need connection cause we are social animals. And a big part of that is romantic intimacy. I think mental health especially among young men will rapidly improve if it is easier for more young men to get into romantic relationships with women

PiastriPs3 · 2024-02-11T05:35:12+00:00

I think it's caused by late stage capitalist alienation and one part of that is how much our dating lives and community interaction has changed for the worst.

ReplacementPasta · 2024-02-11T05:23:38+00:00

I think it's just the result of the same thing. People are more online and isolated than ever. Number of adults without a single friend has gone up by 400% in the last 30 years.

Bassist57 · 2024-02-11T04:27:22+00:00

Probably. Though not just dating. Guys can be very lonely, combination of dating and a lot of guys have a tough time making friends. People who are very isolated can go kind of crazy.

GlobeUnited · 2024-02-11T05:31:51+00:00

Yes.

Narrow_Study_9411 · 2024-02-11T13:36:28+00:00

I think all of it adds up. I don't have mental health issues, but I have often had times where I felt like I didn't have a purpose. I don't want kids, but I did want to meet a good woman and get married. If it wasn't for my parents, I wouldn't own a house. I probably wouldn't have a pot to piss in tbh.

I do think that if dating was easier, we would see better mental health. I think we see less productivity because companies are getting greedier, they don't value people like they used to, too expensive to retire anymore...

AidsVictim · 2024-02-11T06:16:42+00:00

But my question is do you think the current dating problems seen in the world play a large role in the mental health crisis? Or do you think it only plays a small part?

I think it plays a large part for a significant fraction of the population both male and female.

For example do you think if dating was easier for the average men we would generally see better mental health, less crime rates and greater productivity in society?

Probably some but relatively minor reductions.

OmoshiroiKudamono · 2024-02-11T05:10:51+00:00

The dating problems do not "largely" contribute to the mental health problems.

Things like rent, low pay, lack of wage growth relative to inflation, access to AFFORDABLE health/mental care, crappy food, as well as negative attitudes towards men.

thedarkracer · 2024-02-11T04:54:53+00:00

Don't know much about side of women but men can do everything in the whole world except for their mental health problems. They have problems talking about it, acknowledging them and fixing them. That's where marriages in earlier times used to fix but not now as women think men should do that too even though some women make fun of men opening up making it twice as hard.

It is the other way around.

anonymous-a2 · 2024-02-11T09:03:25+00:00

Yes!!!!

Bloodhoven_aka_Loner · 2024-02-11T16:42:23+00:00

yes, pretty obviously.

Flightlessbirbz · 2024-02-12T17:01:23+00:00

It all has common causes behind it and works as a vicious cycle. Fewer opportunities to be social means fewer friends and fewer dates, which means more isolation and depression, which means less of a desire to socialize and more isolation and depression.

SecondEldenLord · 2024-02-11T10:28:49+00:00

Mental health vastly affects men, not women. Men are far lonelier and they have less options. The reas9ns why women have a mental health issue is cause they don't get exactly what they want, while men don't get anything at all. Most women are spoiled and entitled thinking they deserve the top tier of men while most men would be happy with a woman of their level. So yes, mental health is an issue, but for men mostly and women are fucking themselves over for thinking they can lock down a top tier guy while they themselves are a 5.

RubyDiscus · 2024-02-11T04:34:53+00:00

I think for men and male teenagers dating problems contribute more to mental health issues than it does for women.

Also cost of living and stress of school, work and societal competition contribute a lot to mental heath crisis for both. You see it more in countries that are even more competitive like Japan and South Korea. They are insanely competitive from a young age, even in schooling. Leading to higher suicide rates and mental illness.

With women I think that societal pressures from capitalism to look a certain way ie thin and pretty contributes to mental illness. Like they found social media and instagram contributes to mental illness and lower self esteem because women compare themselves to how other women look and material possesions they have.

his_purple_majesty · 2024-02-11T04:38:04+00:00

Yes, but I don't think it's the main contributor.

Expensive-Tea455 · 2024-02-11T05:20:19+00:00

I don’t think men should be relying on women to satisfy their mental health for them

Purple_Kangaroo8549 · 2024-02-11T04:25:53+00:00

Yes, regardless of the anti-natalist and feminist screeching reproduction is a core need of humans. This is what we are literally built for.

Safinated · 2024-02-11T04:34:12+00:00

U got it backwards

Constantly staring at and engaging with a glowing stimulus rectangle is causing the mental issues, and thus affects dating

Electronic_West_1831 · 2024-02-11T09:03:15+00:00

It probably plays a part in the mental health issues of young men, or more accurately, the 80% of young men their female counterparts have concluded are beneath them.

As we all know, women can go onto any dating app and find a veritable buffet of potential partners within the hour - if women are experience dating problems, they are of their own making.

Defundisraelnow · 2024-02-11T05:03:07+00:00

A lot of these young people don't even try to date. They're to busy working themselves to the bone then go home and do their solitary hobbies. It's not healthy at all.

januaryphilosopher · 2024-02-11T09:40:15+00:00

Other way around. Having mental health issues makes it hard to go outside and date, especially anxiety and depression which are most common.

AngeCruelle · 2024-02-11T06:20:25+00:00

For example do you think if dating was easier for the average men we would generally see better mental health, less crime rates and greater productivity in society?

There is no guarantee these relationships would be healthy or functional.

A happy, stable relationship is more likely when both partners were well-adjusted before the relationship.

TidyMess123 · 2024-02-11T06:41:30+00:00

I think when it comes to the dating problem of men having generalized difficulty dating, you’re putting the cart of the horse, that the difficulties dating are more so a result of mental health issues and not a cause.

RandomAttackHelpMe · 2024-02-11T04:30:01+00:00

I think it's part of it. But you said it here: economy (cost of living), job opportunities, quality of life and so on.

See, and this isn't blaming anyone for anything, I think a certain portion were not taught about how to prepare or handle these things and it causes this constant panic mode.

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Gold_Supermarket1956 · 2024-02-11T07:22:28+00:00

So while I think it does things are actually much worse for men than women... See we see women getting all this attention but how many mixed race couples you see out there with the dude being white... Most the time it's a white girl with a person of color... Now it's also been my experience that most women of color don't wanna date outside their race... So as men we have far less options unless you're a male of color...

SmallSituation6432 · 2024-02-11T05:11:32+00:00

What needs to happen to make dating easier? The things you identify as affecting mental health are many of the same things making dating difficult. So in a round about way yes, it would, but not the way you seem to be suggesting. There isn't any feasible way to make dating easier without touching on most of those other issues. Kind of the point really when it comes to mental health; you don't just 'fix' it, its always a process.

Patrickstarho · 2024-02-11T07:47:24+00:00

Yeah bitches be crazy yo

Objective_Ad_6265 · 2024-02-11T10:31:09+00:00

Definitelly, it's enough to see how loneliness is killing me.

SeveralAcorns · 2024-02-11T16:58:57+00:00

No, and stop calling everything a crisis.

WorldlyAd4877 · 2024-02-11T17:11:52+00:00

If dating was easier for the average man you would still be unhappy as you are a below average man.

DoinIt989 · 2024-02-11T21:33:34+00:00

No, I think you have this backwards. The mental health issues of young adults are a big reason why they have dating problems.

Also, I don't think the "mental health crisis" is real. It's just that young people in 2024 are more self-aware of their mental health issues than past generations, and there's less stigma in admitting problems/seeking help.

Jaded_Interaction162 · 2024-02-11T04:29:24+00:00

I think its the other way around.

BackToTheMoon_ · 2024-02-11T07:46:09+00:00

Not mostly

I think social media mostly does that

MasterTeacher123 · 2024-02-11T12:19:59+00:00

I mean in regards to “lower crime” murder rate was higher in the 80’s and early 90’s before these current “dating problems”

GlitterAndFireballs · 2024-02-11T13:05:59+00:00

I would argue the current problems with dating are a symptom of the larger issue; not the cause of it.

OnePotatoeChip · 2024-02-11T16:25:51+00:00

I think it's a portion of the problem, yeah. It makes sense, right? People are getting hurt, seeing others getting hurt and it wears on them mentally. Women, I'm certain, are tired of being manipulated, berated and lied to. Many of us dudes are tired of being on the outside and looking in from behind what seems to be a locked door.

So, what do you do? You try to find a way to dampen the pain. Men are all patriarchy-touting monsters. Women are all hypergamous, sanctimonious tramps. Always helps to have a finger to point, doesn't it?

If only therapy didn't cost an arm and a damn leg.

KorinTowerFreeloader · 2024-02-11T17:30:19+00:00

Yes. Less women on the CC = women being happier without the P and D. At the same time, it would mean more men in general having "normal" (not run through) dating prospects = men being happier.

2024-02-11T17:46:45+00:00

One billion percent I think the two are linked

favabeansandwine · 2024-02-11T19:28:23+00:00

No, not largely. It's secondary and a symptom of the greater problem.

Men are now seen as useless, irrelevant oppressor/predators who "had their turn", as if success in life is a zero sum game. This has men simply opting out of higher education, family life and what amounts to having a purpose.

Men without a purpose are extremely unattractive to women who like "not money" but the indicators of success including ambition, purpose, drive, direction and all of the benefits of those things (socially adept, connected, confident, outgoing, high value, etc.)

Dating problems are a side effect. Post-modernism, Neo-Marxism and feminism are the real culprits.

A society with weak, aimless men is going to eventually collapse.

odeacon · 2024-02-11T20:01:48+00:00

I can’t see how they wouldn’t

BoogersAndSugar · 2024-02-11T20:23:14+00:00

Oh absolutely! But acknowledging this too much is politically problematic, potentially leading to conversations people invested in the status quo don't want to have.

cromulent_weasel · 2024-02-11T20:30:10+00:00

No, I think that the current dating problem and the mental health crisis are BOTH symptoms of the isolation caused by societal changes due to social media use and high speed internet.

People are stay at home shut ins in a way they haven't been before.

But my question is do you think the current dating problems seen in the world play a large role in the mental health crisis? Or do you think it only plays a small part?

If anything the social media addiction and reduced amount of contact people have with others is the cause of both.

if dating was easier for the average men

This is a totally wrong way of thinking. You're hoping and wishing for some impossible future where everybody else changes but you, all to make your life easier. Don't think that way. Instead, engage in personal development. I have JUST discovered Andrew Huberman on youtube and I greatly recommend his videos. They explain a whole lot about life and how to be happy, and social media is only a small component of it (and dating is only a miniscule fraction of it).

Altruistic_Talk_828 · 2024-02-11T22:28:26+00:00

There is no mental health crisis, there's a pathologization of unattractive male behaviour, and a bunch of women desperate to pin their personal failings on non-existing mental health issues.

NaturalBridge12 · 2024-02-12T03:46:54+00:00

100%. A significant other is what usually gets people together, that was its purpose in your 20s, that after partying and sleeping around you feel lost and even more alone, and then that perfect someone comes along and both become better for it

Spyro7x3 · 2024-02-12T04:07:30+00:00

Yes I believe if more men could pair up mental health would regulate.

This sub is obsessed with the idea that "people must be whole by themselves first" but this is not how nature works especially with men who are naturally team/tribe players men get a huge boost in mental health and motivation when partnered with a woman they want to work for.

This is well known by anyone with a brain but as usual our current society spouts the opposite.

TRTGymBro · 2024-02-12T11:45:37+00:00

Pick up a book. The Romanticists and Existentialists have been talking about alienation and loneliness for well over a century.

Suspicious-Bed-2717 · 2024-02-12T14:53:22+00:00

Yes, as the only single young guy in my whole job department I feel completely isolated and incapable of relating to my co workers. Everyone around me is in my age range and they are either getting married of have Gfs.

apresonly · 2024-02-12T23:23:22+00:00

well what is the cause of the mental health crisis?

i think capitalism and some other things i'm not allowed to mention here are to blame for mental health and dating issues, yes

what else could be the end result of capitalism but "what do you bring to the table?"

and of course no one is going to be healthy and flourish in a "what do you bring to the table?" community.

SoldierExcelsior · 2024-02-13T16:46:10+00:00

I really dont think the current problems are new it's just better documented and more talked about I doubt any one was checking on the mental state of Slave children in 1845...or Post ww2 Europe and Asia...

Western kids gen z especially are just spoiled simpletons that want a socialist utopia I spent 4 birthdays in a combat zone try that before you complain that you can't afford the newest Cellphone or your college debt is to much or you don't have a GF alot of guys died a virgin so you can sit around complaining in the land of the free.

Mental health smh how about get a job pick up a book learn a usefull skill...Unless your blind handicapped or crippled I really don't give a sht.

On a side not if you can't afford a house with your sht job maybe get with a couple of your pot head friends and go in together...stop being so antisocial.

And stop trying to get pxssy for free.

Title	Do you think the current dating problems contribute largely to the mental health crisis seen in young adults?
Author	ShelterNo2786
Upvotes	59
Comments	200
Date	February 11, 2024 4:22 AM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/1anzd34/do_you_think_the_current_dating_problems/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/do-you-think-the-current-dating-problems.1245099 https://theredarchive.com/post/1245099

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