The Lafayette Company · Young American Men Survey 2025
Codebook
Every question, answer option and figure, with the terms of use.
- Survey
- Young American Men Survey 2025
- Author and publisher
- The Lafayette Company
- Fielded by
- Cygnal, October 22–26, 2025
- Sample
- 1,000 American men aged 16 to 28, margin of error ±3.01%
- Released
- November 3, 2025, at the first Symposium on Young American Men
- Figures
- Percent of respondents. Multi-select questions are marked; their options sum past 100.
- Cite as
- Symposium on Young American Men, Young American Men Survey 2025, youngamericanmen.com/data/2025
Terms of use
The Young American Men Survey 2025 is the property of The Lafayette Company. © 2025. All rights reserved.
Figures may be quoted with credit to the Symposium on Young American Men and a link to the source page. Charts may be embedded or reproduced unaltered.
The dataset may not be modified or redistributed.
Q1 · Life & work ·
top-priorityPersonal Top Priority
Personally speaking, which do you consider to be your top priority right now?
- Financial stability27.2
- Mental health17.2
- Career or job advancement12.2
- Education or academic success11.8
- Physical health8.9
- Family responsibilities6.7
- Romantic relationships5.5
- Social life or friendships5.3
- Unsure5.2
Q2 · Life & work ·
biggest-challengeBiggest Challenge Facing Young Men
What do you think is the biggest issue facing young men today?
- 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 addiction6.0
- Lack of community or belonging5.4
- Unsure4.2
Q3 · Life & work ·
life-directionLife Direction
Is your life going the way you expected or envisioned it would go?
- Yes50.2
- No46.4
- Unsure3.5
Q4 · Belonging ·
mentorshipMentorship
Do you have a male mentor or role model who is a regular influence in your life?
- Yes, I have a male mentor or role model53.0
- No, I don't have a male mentor40.1
- Unsure6.8
Q5 · Belonging ·
fraternity-membershipFraternity Membership
Are you or have you ever been a member of a college or university-affiliated fraternity?
- Yes21.0
- No73.6
- Unsure5.3
Q6 · Belonging ·
mens-groupsDo Men-Only Groups Help?
Do you agree or disagree that being part of a men-only group or organization helps young men grow personally?
- Agree54.5
- Neither24.5
- Disagree14.4
- Unsure6.6
Q7 · Belonging ·
faith-based-groupsJoining a Faith-Based Group
How likely are you to join a faith-based organization?
- Likely46.1
- Unlikely38.1
- Already a member of a faith-based organization7.1
- Unsure8.8
Q8 · Mental health ·
peer-mental-healthPeer Mental Health Rating
How would you rate the overall mental health of young men your age?
- Excellent8.4
- Good17.1
- Fair34.2
- Poor29.3
- Very poor8.0
- Unsure3.0
Q9 · Mental health ·
personal-mental-healthPersonal Mental Health Rating
Personally speaking, how would you rate your own overall mental health?
- Excellent14.0
- Good26.5
- Fair33.0
- Poor15.2
- Very poor9.2
- Unsure2.0
Q10 · Mental health ·
crisis-supportWho They Turn To In A Crisis
If you were facing a personal non-physical crisis or emergency, who or what would you most likely turn to for support?
- Family members31.9
- No one, I'd handle it on my own19.8
- Friends17.6
- Mental health professional7.9
- AI, like ChatGPT7.3
- Teacher, coach, or mentor4.5
- Unsure4.5
- Religious leader3.5
- Online community or forum3.0
Q11 · Mental health ·
mental-health-since-2020Mental Health Since 2020
Compared to before 2020 and the pandemic, do you feel your mental health has improved, worsened, or stayed the same?
- Worsened41.2
- Improved34.8
- Stayed the same21.4
- Unsure2.7
Q13 · Connection ·
close-friendsClose Friends
How many close friends do you have, friends you can rely on and contact anytime, even if it's been a while?
- None10.7
- 1 to 237.2
- 3 to 537.2
- 6 or more12.0
- Unsure3.0
Q14 · Life & work ·
exercise-frequencyExercise Frequency
On average, how many days per week do you engage in physical exercise?
- Never7.5
- Less than once a week16.7
- Once a week15.2
- Several times a week31.8
- Nearly every day19.0
- Every day9.8
Q15 · Digital life ·
hours-onlineHours Online Daily
On average, how many hours per day do you spend online, including social media, streaming, gaming and browsing?
- Less than 1 hour2.8
- 1 to 2 hours14.4
- 3 to 4 hours29.8
- 5 to 6 hours23.6
- More than 6 hours26.9
- Unsure2.5
Q17 · Digital life ·
gamingGaming Frequency
How often do you play video games?
- Daily or almost daily, 2 or more hours35.7
- A few times a week21.2
- Daily or almost daily, less than 2 hours17.7
- A few times a month10.5
- I've played, but not regularly8.5
- I don't play video games5.0
- Unsure1.4
Q18 · Digital life ·
ai-useAI Use
How often do you use generative AI chat conversations, like ChatGPT, for things like search, advice, ideas or decision-making?
- Occasionally28.8
- Never21.5
- Weekly21.4
- Daily16.1
- Monthly9.8
- Unsure2.4
Q19 · Digital life ·
sports-bettingSports Betting
How often do you gamble or wager on sports, including online sports betting?
- I don't gamble or wager on sports49.0
- I've gambled or wagered, but not regularly11.7
- Only on special occasions10.6
- A few times a month10.2
- A few times a week8.7
- Daily or almost daily6.8
- Unsure3.1
Q20 · Digital life ·
adult-contentAdult Content
How often do you come across or intentionally view adult sexual content online?
- Occasionally28.2
- Weekly21.7
- Daily17.9
- Never16.4
- Monthly9.2
- Unsure6.7
Q21 · Digital life ·
youtube-hoursYouTube Hours Daily
On average, how many hours per day do you spend on YouTube?
- Less than 1 hour14.4
- 1 to 2 hours27.4
- 3 to 4 hours28.5
- 5 to 6 hours15.9
- More than 6 hours11.4
- Unsure2.5
Q22 · Life & work ·
relationship-statusRelationship Status
What is your current relationship status?
- Single, but interested in a relationship39.4
- Single and not interested in a relationship22.0
- In a committed relationship18.3
- Married10.2
- Dating, but not in a committed relationship5.1
- Unsure3.4
- Divorced1.6
