Life & work · 2025 survey
Biggest Challenge Facing Young Men
What do you think is the biggest issue facing young men today?
Financial stress (23%) and mental health struggles (21%) are the biggest challenges young men name, each more than double any other answer.
Topline, all respondents
- Financial stress or economic uncertainty23.4%
- Mental health struggles20.6%
- Social isolation or loneliness9.7%
- Lack of mentorship or guidance8.8%
- Unclear sense of identity or purpose8.5%
- Pressure to meet societal expectations7.1%
- Difficulty forming meaningful relationships6.3%
- Substance use or addiction6%
- Lack of community or belonging5.4%
- Unsure4.2%
Most common answer
Financial stress or economic uncertainty
Share
23.4%
Respondents
1,000 American men aged 16 to 28
The numbers
| Response | Percent |
|---|---|
| Financial stress or economic uncertainty | 23.4 |
| Mental health struggles | 20.6 |
| Social isolation or loneliness | 9.7 |
| Lack of mentorship or guidance | 8.8 |
| Unclear sense of identity or purpose | 8.5 |
| Pressure to meet societal expectations | 7.1 |
| Difficulty forming meaningful relationships | 6.3 |
| Substance use or addiction | 6.0 |
| Lack of community or belonging | 5.4 |
| Unsure | 4.2 |
Embed
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Citation
The Lafayette Company, Young American Men Survey 2025, “What do you think is the biggest issue facing young men today?”. 1,000 American men aged 16 to 28, fielded by Cygnal, October 22–26, 2025, margin of error ±3.01%. youngamericanmen.com/data/2025/biggest-challenge
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