Heart-shattering. Very important research.

I call muggins.

This isn't new, this is just a flashy dressed report that could be used at any time in human history, but with the added whiz-bang of technological display it now makes this look like a new phenomenon.

sheerahkahn ~ I don't think so. Old forces to be sure but taken much farther in our culture than ever possible before. I can imagine isolation being around for thousands of years, there have always been introverts -- who explored, fished, hunted, whittled, farmed, etc in isolation. Those activities could also stimulating, but in a lesser degree - slower, sought, discovered satisfaction stimulation. Gaming could be producing many, many young men with battle fatigue! If not addiction to the stimulation. And no useful skills to show for it. The easy access to porn is feeding and growing a monster like never before.

One way the church has contributed to this problem is to make relationships between men and women only legitimate when romance/sex is a possibility. We've made freindship, or even the simple act of riding in a car, or eating a meal together seem unsafe for people who might be married/dating but not with each other.

Dan Brennan addresses this well in his book "Sacred Unions Sacred Passions" its really a must-read for church leaders.

Every human being has the need to feel connected and Loved. These situations and temptations has been around, but it is has permeated our culture more and more. I think of the sociological implications. Divorce rates are higher, lack of positive influence by a man or male mentor can have a devastating effect on the life a of a young man. It is also an identity crisis. These young men do not know who they are, they do not feel they have a purpose in some ways.

There is more awareness now. What needs to happen is a change. These young men are confused and are getting fed garbage by the culture. It is ambient, everywhere a person looks. As Christians we need to help those in need. We need to mentor these young, because this is in the churches. We cannot just talk about the problems we need to act on them and confront them face on. It will take time but being part of a faith means going counter to the culture of the time.

We have a different standard and we can lovingly come along side young men and meet them where there at and start to move them to a healthy place, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

This is something that has been present in our culture. However, it has become ambient, everywhere, in our culture today. Now there is more of an awareness. That is the point of the study I am sure and to help in understanding the psychological implications. I feel that there are sociological implications as well.
Divorce rates are higher, other factors can be accounted for, but the fact remains that young men and teens today do not have a stable male figure in their lives. Are some parents to blame?

Every human being longs to be connected. They want to be loved and accepted. There is an identity piece to this problem as well. Young men do not know who they are or if they have a purpose in life. They point of this article for me is to show that the world is a broken world. That there are young men crying out for help through these actions and something needs to be done.

A practical response from the Christian community would be: Address the situation as a church do not ignore it and develop a mentoring ministry for young men in the church. Believe me it is in the church. Do not deny it. Young men need discipleship more than ever. Love them where there at, help them how you can where your at.

As a Mennonite I come from a conservative church culture that valued family, taught purity, and protected godly masculinity and femininity. My church has its problems. But as I look around at society I'm astounded at the devastation. It appears the church at large is barely addressing the deeper issues.

Hayden, I appreciate your thoughts. Young men will only find healing in the church. They need love and mentoring. Porn is the problem at the surface; deeper there are many contributors. I'm sure broken homes and loss of godly masculinity and femininity play a significant part. In our attempt to "liberate" women we've lost the ladies, and our culture has traded gentlemen for irresponsible boys who are expected to take life as a joke.

So, Brian, how do we regain the ladies you think we've lost through liberation? Do boys become men only when the women (excuse me, ladies) are not liberated?

This is important information.

We are absolutely seeing many 20something millenial males walking away from traditional roles and behavior. Yet it's been happening for a long time. Men do struggle with their God designed roles and image. It has happened for a long time. Granted now the overwhelming access to technology, excessive diversions, unfettered immorality, and condoned immaturity are exacerbating the situation.

I don't, for a second, blame feminism and we shouldn't. Feminism had aided our world in many ways. Does it have excesses? Sure but lots of things do.

I've never met a guy who said, or implied, that feminism was the real reason he wanted to spend his formative years in alcoholic, drug induced hangovers bouncing from girl-to-girl, while being focused primarily on their next Modern Warfare clan match. It doesn't happen that way.

At the root of it is sin. Our society is rotting from the core because of it. Turn on the TV and see how often women are degraded, men are buffoons, jocks are given passes, the weak are ridiculed, and every perversion known to mankind is extolled. That my friends is the enemy.

We need radical repentance.

Video games and pornography, I agree, is resulting in the demise of the guys. But, porn and video games are an attempt to fill a void in guys lives that go much deeper than just thrill and arousal. The problem in our society of "the Demise of the Guys", porn and guys increasing disengagement from relationships and society is a vicious cycle. It goes much deeper than just porn and electronic gadgets. I believe one contributing factor is a result of the lack of fathers' engagement and involvement in their son's lives. While this isn't always the case, studies show that guys with absent fathers are the more likely to become addicted to porn. I say it is a vicious cycle because a guy gets addicted to porn and or video games because his father was not there for him and when he has a family. He does not know how to be there for his children both because his father did not model it for him, and because of his addiction to porn and video games he does not pursue relationships with his children, etc. etc... You get the point, the cycle continues while our society continues to produce more and more "spineless guys." It's time for us as men in our churches to stand up and be men by pursuing meaningful relationships with our wives and children and also with youth who have no father or mother figure in their lives. Until we as men learn to effectively involve ourselves in the lives of our wives, our children, our siblings, as well as with people outside our family who need a father figure, the demise of the guys will only continue to get worse.

The reality of this article is unquestionable. There is an undeniable epidemic among men today, and it is very disheartening. More and more men are engaging in extra-marital affairs, viewing all types of pornography, and are getting in trouble for sexual misconduct. In the last few weeks there have been at least three men in prominent positions in society that have been outed for sexual misconduct involving young boys. This is not only disgusting, but raises questions as to how far some men will go to fulfill their desires. Regular pornography is becoming less and less fulfilling for some men as there has been an increase in viewing of child pornography, and other fetish porn as well. As we continue to shift from a modern age into a post modern worldview, it seems obvious that this problem may only get worse. We have abandoned the idea of having governing systems or moral absolutes that we follow, and it is now acceptable to engage in whatever activity makes you happy. The problem is, as we have already noticed, that this will only lead to further searching, and nothing will ever be enough. People are noticing that there is a void in their lives, and our society is pumping solutions into our minds in the form of TV, movies, music, video games, pornography, and other things. With all these solutions comes the freedom of choice and availability. You no longer have to be a part of any particular social or economic class to participate in these activities because it is available to almost anyone. What men aren't realizing, though, is that these things will enslave you to your desires and you will never find fulfillment. The only answer to find true purpose and fulfillment in life is Jesus Christ. I am not talking about any vain religion full of rules and practices, but a life committed to following Jesus. In the Bible, John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the "way, the truth and the life" and that no-one is able to reach the father (God) except through him. Men, we need to stop believing the lies of this world, lay aside your pride and come to grips with reality that nothing you can do will fulfill you, except submitting to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.