https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/almost-half-of-young-men-have-never-approached-a-woman-romantically-study/

“In the entire dataset, 29% of men said they never approached a woman in person before. 27% said it had been more than one year. This was larger for men in the age 18-25 group: 45% had never approached a woman in person,” according to the study.

A majority of single males surveyed reported fear as the main reason they do not approach women for dates in person. Fear of rejection and fear of social consequences were the two most common responses.

The data highlights a growing concern in the United States and abroad — loneliness. A 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that almost half of U.S. adults report “measurable levels of loneliness.”

It’s interesting to say the least. It seems as though the social repercussions and rejection are the most profound reason. While the fear of rejection is easy enough to digest. But I think the fear or social consequences is a relatively new construct.

From what I understand it’s the fear of being viewed as a creep to approach a woman out of the blue. Which to me, is reasonable enough. But I don’t think I have ever heard my old man or anyone of his generation bringing this to the table.

Yet I do remember asking my friends about picking up hints and whether or not men are really that bad at it. And most them saying the just don’t want to risk misinterpreting it.

Perhaps there is an argument to be made that approaching women like this, has fallen out of social fashion. What do you guys think?

p.s. I hope this is casual enough of a conversation. I kinda screwed up my last one, I admit.

Edit: Here is a more detailed paper on the survey for those that are interested

  • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
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    3 months ago

    the world hates me this much then there’s nothing I can do about it.

    There’s a lot you can do about it, but you seem intent on not doing any of it.

      • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
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        3 months ago

        Why not? Why do you deserve friends and companionship without doing the slightest bit of work?

        • Empty@leminal.space
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          3 months ago

          Loving someone requires effort already. I don’t ask anything else, I don’t ask you to like videogames or being into the music I like. I don’t ask you to be generically attractive or to drag you into knowing my family. Why should you do the same to me?

          • LotrOrc@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            What do you love about someone? And what effort do you put in?

            And if you are trying to be in a relationship, especially a long term one, and you don’t want to meet their family, that’s gonna be a no from like 99% of people

            There are very few people who are gonna marry someone who does not take any interest in their life, their family, or their friends.