Angela Yee on Way Up Report On the Why Are So Many Young Men Still Single? #TalkinOuttaTurn

Why Are So Many Young Men Still Single?

Way Up With Yee

Angela Yee herself just got engaged for the first time at age 50 to entrepreneur Tameek "Meek" Floyd.

So boom...

I was listening to Angela Yee on Way Up, and they were discussing a report saying the number of single young men in America has jumped by 50% over the last 25 years. The numbers are wild. Back in 2000, there were about 20.7 million single men between 18 and 39. Today, that number sits at over 30 million. On top of that, the average age for men getting married has climbed from 23 years old to 31.

Now whenever these conversations happen, it seems like the finger immediately points at men.

"They play too many video games."

"They stay inside too much."

"They addicted to social media."

And while some of that might be true for a few brothers, I couldn't help but think: why is the conversation always about blaming men instead of examining the whole playing field?

Because the truth is, this ain't a one-sided story.

The Dating Game Done Changed

Let's keep it a buck.

The dating landscape today ain't the same one our parents and grandparents lived in. Social media turned relationships into a highlight reel. Everybody's looking at influencers, celebrities, and relationship gurus selling a fantasy package complete with matching outfits, luxury vacations, and a proposal that looks like it cost the GDP of a small country.

Now don't get me wrong. Everybody deserves happiness.

But somewhere along the way, relationship goals became unrealistic expectations.

Some people ain't looking for a partner anymore. They looking for a lifestyle upgrade.

A lot of young women grew up hearing fairy tales about marriage, getting swept off their feet, and receiving a rock so big it could throw off the Earth's rotation. But nobody talks enough about what comes after the wedding pictures.

Because sometimes a big rock leads to a big divorce when the marriage was built around the symbol instead of the foundation.

Love don't pay every bill, but neither does a ring.

Men Are Taking Longer To Get Established

Here's another thing nobody likes talking about.

For most men, life isn't handing out participation trophies.

A lot of brothers don't really hit their financial stride until their mid-30s or even later. They grinding through student loans, inflation, job stress, family responsibilities, and trying to figure out life with very little support.

Society still expects a man to provide, protect, and lead, but the cost of everything keeps going up.

Rent looking like it got a NBA contract.

Eggs got security guards now.

And somehow you're supposed to buy a house, fund vacations, finance date nights, and still have enough left over to chase your dreams.

It's pressure.

Real pressure.

The Social Media Effect

Social media might be the biggest relationship killer nobody wants to admit.

Every day people are scrolling past millionaires, celebrities, and influencers pretending they're relationship experts because they bought a microphone and a ring light.

You got podcast gurus telling men they're not making enough money.

You got relationship coaches telling women they should never settle.

You got reality shows where disrespect becomes entertainment.

Shows like Love & Hip Hop and Real Housewives often make drama look normal and healthy relationships look boring.

The result?

Everybody's standards are going up while everybody's patience is going down.

What About Women?

Now before somebody starts typing in all caps, let's be fair.

This conversation isn't about attacking women.

There are plenty of amazing women out here looking for real love.

But culturally, America has spent decades teaching women how to be successful in business, school, and careers while spending less time discussing what healthy partnership and marriage look like.

The same way men need to become better husbands, communicators, and fathers, women also need conversations about being supportive partners.

Both sides have work to do.

A relationship can't be 50/50 if everyone is only counting what they're giving and keeping score of what they're getting.

The Hidden Cost For Men

One thing that doesn't get enough attention is the mental toll.

Men consistently face higher suicide rates and often carry stress in silence.

Many are taught to keep pushing no matter what.

Be strong.

Don't complain.

Don't cry.

Handle it.

Then people wonder why some men retreat into video games, social media, or isolation.

Sometimes it's not because they're lazy.

Sometimes they're exhausted.

Let's Stop The Gender War

Here's the real issue.

Too many conversations turn into "men versus women."

That's the wrong fight.

The goal shouldn't be proving who's worse.

The goal should be figuring out why relationships are becoming harder to build and easier to break.

Men need accountability.

Women need accountability.

Social media needs accountability.

The culture needs accountability.

Because at the end of the day, most people still want the same thing: someone to build with, grow with, and face life with.

Final Thought

Instead of asking why so many men are single, maybe we should be asking why connection has become so difficult in a world that's supposedly more connected than ever.

Let's stop pushing the narrative of men versus women.

The real flex isn't winning the gender war.

The real flex is building healthy relationships, realistic expectations, and communities where both men and women can thrive together.

Because if we keep treating each other like opponents, everybody loses.

Talkin' Outta Turn Question of the Day:

Do you think the rise in single men is mostly caused by economic pressure, social media expectations, changing relationship values, or something else? Let us know in the comments. 🎤💭