Working class men in America need help. While the shift to a knowledge-based economy has blessed the more highly educated with strong and rising wages, working class men face dwindling job prospects, stagnant wages, and declining health. These challenges have been intensifying for decades but have now reached a point of crisis.

This report outlines the current state of America’s working class men and describes recent trends in the key areas of employment, earnings, health, and family.

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Highlights

Working class men face alarmingly high risks of dying young, particularly from “deaths of despair” such as suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related deaths. They are also more vulnerable to other health challenges, including workplace injuries and chronic diseases. Young working class men (aged 25 to 34) are more likely to die than middle-aged non-working class men (aged 45 to 54).

Employment rates for working class men have significantly declined over the past four decades. Black working class men have persistently faced the greatest hurdles in the labor market, while white working class men have experienced the most dramatic recent declines in employment rates. Meanwhile, wages for working class men have been stagnant.

Marriage and family formation rates have declined significantly among working class men. Social isolation is on the rise, with fewer close friendships and weakened social bonds, contributing to a deeper sense of loneliness and disconnection. In the past there was hardly any class gap in marriage and family-formation. Today there is a huge one.

At the American Institute for Boys and Men we are committed to shedding light on these issues, and working for solutions. As we continue our research and advocacy, we invite you to follow along, stay informed, and join us in the effort to create a brighter future for working class men and their families.

Correction: Prior to December 6, 2024, the figure displaying real median weekly earnings by gender and working-class status incorrectly reported the 1979 median earnings for non-working-class women as $904. The correct figure is $751. This error has been corrected in the updated version of the report. 

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