Scott Galloway's new book, Notes on Being a Man, has rocketed to the top of bestseller lists, sparking a major conversation about the state of modern masculinity. The US author, professor, and podcaster argues that young men are in a profound crisis, a situation he believes has significant social and political consequences, including the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The Data Behind the Male Malaise
Galloway, a 61-year-old who recently moved to London from Florida, bases his claims on a wealth of troubling statistics. He points to rising rates of male unemployment, addiction, loneliness, and college dropouts. "We're going to graduate probably two women for every one man from college in the next five years," he states, drawing on research from contemporaries like Richard Reeves and Jonathan Haidt.
He contends that the political left's previous reluctance to acknowledge this problem created a vacuum. "Let me offer that the reason we elected [Trump] is because of struggling with men," Galloway suggests. He notes that two key demographics which shifted strongly towards Trump in the 2024 election were young men and women aged 45-64, whom he theorises are "the mothers of young men."
Protect, Provide, Procreate – A Boomer Code?
Galloway's proposed solutions often revolve around traditional codes, summarised as men's roles to "protect, provide, and procreate." He admits this perspective can seem old-fashioned, even to his own teenage sons. On providing, he is economically blunt: "I tell my sons, when you're in the company of women, you pay for everything. And if you can't, you don't go out." He argues that signalling resources remains a key attractor for women, alongside kindness and intellect.
The core of the issue, according to Galloway, is what happens when men fail to become economically viable and find romantic connection. "When men don't have a romantic relationship, they tend to kind of come off the tracks," he says. This leads to isolation, where energy is redirected into conspiracy theories, excessive online activity, and pornography, stunting the development of relational skills.
Evolving 'Asexual, Asocial Males' and the Role of Tech
Galloway is highly critical of the technology industry's role in exacerbating these problems. He argues that easy digital dopamine hits from social media and gaming give men fewer reasons to engage with the real world. "I worry we are literally evolving a new breed of asexual, asocial male," he warns, painting a concerning picture of a generation retreating to their bedrooms.
While some compare him to conservative commentator Jordan Peterson for tackling this subject, Galloway, a self-described liberal, distances himself. He respects Peterson for broaching the topic early but disagrees fundamentally: "I find that Jordan... uses his incredible skills... to always reverse-engineer into an incredibly conservative viewpoint that sometimes, in my view, takes women's rights away."
He is adamant he is not blaming women. "I'm not saying that women need to lower their standards. I think men need to level up," he asserts, calling for more societal programmes to support all young people.
The Personal Roots and the Power of Vulnerability
Galloway's analysis is deeply personal. His own father left when he was nine, and his grandfather was an abusive alcoholic. He believes the pivotal moment for a boy is "the moment he loses a male role model through death, divorce or abandonment."
This personal history informs his surprising advocacy for male vulnerability. He openly discusses weeping on his podcast after his father's death this year. "Crying is good for men," he argues, challenging ancient fears that showing weakness invites attack. "It just feels really good," he says, adding that he now gets emotional frequently and finds it connects him more deeply to others.
Despite his success, estimated net worth of $150m, and rigorous fitness regime, Galloway confesses to impostor syndrome about being a role model and feels time accelerating in his late fifties. His ultimate role models are not today's "alpha" figures but Muhammad Ali, Keanu Reeves for his kindness, and even Margaret Thatcher for her strength.
As he prepares to return to the US to engage in the political fray ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections, Galloway leaves a provocative thought: redefining masculinity away from the coarseness modelled by some modern leaders and towards a model of strength that includes protection, provision, emotional openness, and personal accountability.
