“Plainly speaking, the United States cannot prosper until its prime-age men do.”
– Men Without Work
The war against men that began following the rise of feminism in the 1960s, seems slow to end, even as women gained equal if not superior rights in society. Yet, what began as a mission to tear men down, rather than elevate women, has had the adverse effect of radically changing men’s DNA, whether through the feminization of K-12 or by denying their chivalry in matters of dating and marriage. While men still hold leadership roles in the workplace, a disturbing shift has taken place for low-wage, low-educated men, that has seen them exiting the workforce in droves.
In Nicholas Eberstadt’s 2016 data-intensive book, “Men Not Working” Eberstadt tells the disturbing story of the collapse of working-age men from the labor force over the past fifty years, a steady downward spiral unseen in any other first-world nation. Through a series of graphs and charts, Eberstadt reveals the economic and social reasons for their exit, the demographic most likely to be without work, and how America’s mass incarceration culture plays a role. Worst of all, the phenomenon of male dropouts is a blight on the promise of the American dream and a detriment to their economic and social prosperity.
Falling labor participation rates beginning in the 1960s, seem to correlate with structural changes in the economy including an increase in technology and globalization, a decline in manufacturing, and the scourge of jobless recoveries following a series of recessions. Largely affecting middle-skilled workers, this changing dynamic led to the displacement of low-skilled laborers. The addition of women into the workforce following second-wave feminism helped to offset the loss of men forced out during the economic shift.
Since conventional measures of unemployment do not include discouraged workers, these nearly 9-10 million missing men, are left unacknowledged. Most are unmarried, without children, and have low education levels and correspondingly low skills. A third of them report regular drug use. While black men dominate the group, whites, and Native Americans also are represented. Another key reason, however, for the lack of work for so many adult men is a criminal record, with nearly 20 million men living as former offenders. This, in itself, is unique to the United States, as no other first-world country experiences the kinds of incarceration rates that we do. As Eberstadt further notes, incarceration rates are five times higher today than they were in the 1960s.
But not only are non-working men invisible to government statistics, but they are also missing from society. You will not find them in church, volunteering, or out and about attending social events. Nor are they homebound due to caring for others, including children or other family members. Instead, they are at home, most likely in front of the TV or computer for hours on end. When they aren’t involved in one form of entertainment or another, they are relaxing or sleeping, out-of-sight, wasting away. While half of these men do not receive any wages, they are bringing in a median income of $25,000 obtained by one government program or another, with the majority qualifying for disability programs. Some receive additional support from spouses or other family members. And most stunningly, two-thirds are not only living above the poverty level, but they are also living better than millions of Americans.
Although these men are largely able-bodied citizens who could and should be adding to the diminishing economy, once they have left the workforce, it is increasingly difficult for them to find their way back. No longer deemed necessary, their expanding dependence on the government is only growing to draw in other groups, especially following the catastrophic mismanagement of the COVID pandemic, and its ensuing unemployment.
Yet, for the sake of society and their own mental health and flourishing, their absence must be addressed. Many of these men did not leave the labor force because they were refusing to work, but after rejections and disappointments, they simply gave up. With help, many may be able to reenter not only into the job market but also into society. In 1965, 85 percent of adult men were married, but by 2015, that number was only 55 percent. Increasing incidences of marriage and children will compel men to support their families since a married man with children is least likely to be found in this group.
To turn the tide, Eberstadt recommends three immediate actions. A resurgence of entrepreneurship led by changes in policy that would make starting a business easier. Second, a reduction in government welfare by increasing work incentives and mandates. Third, a plan to reduce the number of incarcerations for non-violent crimes and a focus on returning former convicts into the fold. A change in the calculation of the unemployment rate would keep these men in the spotlight and ensure that the problem does not continue to go unaddressed.
America was founded on the simple promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Not working is unusual for our country’s high work ethic. Two generations of men have fallen out of favor and off the books. With a few simple changes, we could lure them back in.
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