The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 1768 – Why Are Men In Crisis?

Intro

In this episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” Ben discusses the crisis that American men are facing and explores the reasons behind their declining performance in various areas of life. He also delves into the impact of societal changes on traditional gender roles and the consequences of neglecting the importance of family and marriage. Ben offers insights into the rise of toxic masculinity and the need for a positive redefinition of masculinity. Additionally, he addresses the political implications of the “man problem” faced by the Democratic Party and examines the influence of cultural and societal factors on men’s behavior and well-being.

Main Takeaways

Men’s Declining Performance

• American men are falling behind by every metric, including college degrees, job performance, and life satisfaction.
• Men are also falling behind women in areas such as opioid use and overdose deaths.

The Importance of Traditional Gender Roles

• The traditional roles of men were to protect, defend, and provide for their families, communities, and country.
• Men are still expected to provide, defend, and protect their families, but some no longer do so due to a culture that shames them for it.

The Impact of Divorce and Changing Family Structures

• Divorce rates are increasing, and divorce is becoming more socially acceptable.
• Divorce is a tragedy that breaks up the potential fulfillment of male and female in monogamous marriage.
• Removing one half of a whole means the other half is going to seem insufficient, leading to toxic masculinity.

The Rise of Toxic Masculinity

• Toxic femininity and masculinity are on the rise due to the absence of societal support structures.
• The removal of institutions that channeled aggressive instincts into building has led to a widespread identity crisis among men.
• Men are struggling to relate to women, lack long-term goals, and are disappearing into video games, porn, and misogynistic communities.

The Need for a Positive Redefinition of Masculinity

• Jordan Peterson gained fame and millions of book sales with his book “12 Rules for Life.”
• Peterson has been one of the boldest in stepping into the vacuum of modeling manhood today.
• Masculinity has been betrayed, and a rethinking of what masculinity actually is required to bring it back.

The Democratic Party’s “Man Problem”

• Democrats are struggling with a “man problem” but refuse to define what a man is.
• Democratic geniuses argue that manhood needs to be left behind to reach out to men.
• Hostile sexism is a powerful predictor of Trump voting, and threatened masculinity is a weapon for the far right.

The Importance of Family and Traditional Gender Roles

• The left believes in the destruction of societal standards, including traditional gender roles.
• The left exacerbates the problem of precarious masculinity by telling men to take low-paying, traditionally feminine jobs.
• Marriage was a solution to the problem of women needing someone to provide for them and raising children.

The Rise of Toxic Masculinity and the Bronze Age Mindset

• Men have aggressive instincts that must be put to work for building or they will be put to work on behalf of destruction.
• Bronze Age Mindset is a book that promotes a morality that values beauty and strength over Judeo-Christian morality.
• The book has become popular among young men because it gives them a sense of purpose and something to work on with themselves.

The Impact of Present-Oriented Mentality on Society

• Society is becoming increasingly present-oriented, which is not sustainable.
• Capitalism must be based on a theory of moral sentiment and future orientation to avoid economic stagnation.
• Europeans are becoming actively poorer due to an aging population with a preference for free time and job security over earnings.

The Crisis in Healthcare Systems and Aging Population

• The collapse of national health systems, such as the NHS in the UK, is a result of lack of future orientation and economic decline.
• The healthcare system is rooted in today instead of tomorrow, leading to a lack of investment in equipment and facilities and understaffing of doctors and nurses.
• Outsourcing problems to the government leads to a lack of empathy and respect for the elderly, and community involvement is necessary for poverty programs to be effective.

The Importance of Communication and Building Solutions

• Stop reacting and start building to find actual solutions.
• People with lives should have partners who can honestly communicate without fear of being publicly shamed.

Summary

The Crisis of American Men and Toxic Masculinity

American men are facing a crisis in various aspects of their lives, including education, employment, and overall well-being. This decline in performance is also reflected in areas such as opioid use and overdose deaths. Traditional gender roles, which emphasized men’s role as protectors, providers, and defenders, have been challenged by societal changes and a culture that shames men for fulfilling these roles. The breakdown of traditional family structures, including the rise in divorce rates, has further contributed to the crisis.

This crisis has led to the rise of toxic masculinity, where men struggle to relate to women, lack long-term goals, and seek refuge in video games, pornography, and misogynistic communities. The absence of societal support structures and institutions that channeled men’s aggressive instincts into productive endeavors has exacerbated this identity crisis. Jordan Peterson’s book “12 Rules for Life” has gained popularity by addressing the need for a positive redefinition of masculinity.

The Democratic Party’s “Man Problem” and the Importance of Family

The Democratic Party is grappling with a “man problem” but refuses to define what it means to be a man. Hostile sexism and threatened masculinity have become powerful predictors of Trump voting and have been weaponized by the far right. The left’s rejection of traditional gender roles and family values exacerbates the problem of precarious masculinity by encouraging men to take low-paying, traditionally feminine jobs.

The importance of family and traditional gender roles cannot be underestimated. Marriage has historically provided a solution for women who needed someone to provide for them and raise children. The left’s denigration of traditional gender roles and family values is detrimental to society’s stability and well-being.

The Rise of Toxic Masculinity and the Bronze Age Mindset

Toxic masculinity is a response to a society that shuns traditional emotional masculinity and fails to provide support structures for men. The popularity of the book “Bronze Age Mindset” among young men can be attributed to its promotion of a morality that values beauty and strength over Judeo-Christian values. However, the book’s endorsement of eugenic breeding and the celebration of natural differences between humans have raised concerns about its potential promotion of fascist mentality.

The Present-Oriented Mentality and Healthcare Crisis

Society’s increasing present-oriented mentality poses challenges to economic prosperity and sustainable healthcare systems. Capitalism must be based on a theory of moral sentiment and future orientation to avoid economic stagnation. The aging population in Europe, which prioritizes free time and job security over earnings, has resulted in active impoverishment. The collapse of national health systems, such as the NHS in the UK, can be attributed to a lack of future orientation and economic decline.

Building Solutions and Communication

The key to addressing the crisis faced by men and society as a whole lies in building solutions rather than reacting to perceived problems. Honest communication without fear of public shaming is crucial for individuals and relationships to thrive. It is essential to recognize the importance of traditional family values, gender roles, and community involvement in addressing societal challenges and promoting well-being.

Conclusion

The crisis faced by American men and the rise of toxic masculinity are complex issues that require a comprehensive understanding of societal, cultural, and economic factors. It is crucial to redefine masculinity in a positive and inclusive manner, emphasizing the importance of traditional gender roles, family values, and community support structures. Building a society that values both masculine and feminine qualities and encourages future orientation is essential for addressing the challenges faced by men and promoting overall societal well-being.