The Crisis of Young Men and Why I’m Not One of Them
There’s a lot of talk about the crisis of young men these days (2025).
And while I still feel young, I realize I’m not part of that conversation anymore.
I’m middle-aged. Married. A father. I own a home. I’ve had a career. I’m not the man they’re talking about when they discuss that crisis.
But I do reflect often on how my life has changed over the last twenty years, and how being a husband has shaped almost everything about who I am.
Half My Life with One Person
I’ve been married for over 14 years, and I’ve been with my wife for 20. That’s half my life. I honestly don’t remember a time when she wasn’t there.
And I can say with total certainty:
I am a better man because I am someone’s husband.
Marriage didn’t just make me better behaved, it made me more intentional.
It made me think before acting, listen before speaking, and care about something greater than myself.
Learning to Be Less Selfish
I grew up sarcastic and quick-witted. Which is another way of saying I made fun of people a lot. It was a defense mechanism.
Marriage changed that. It slowed me down. It made me think about how I say things, not just what I say.
It forced me to operate as part of a team, with a shared mission:
To live a fulfilling, meaningful life together.
The Tough Parts Matter Too
It hasn’t always been easy — nothing real ever is. But I know without question that I’m better for it.
Without my wife, I would’ve been more reckless. I probably would’ve made dumber decisions, taken bigger risks, and cared less about my health and longevity.
She’s been my balance, my anchor, my mirror, and my greatest teacher.
Marriage Shaped My Leadership Too
That growth shows up everywhere, not just at home. I’m a better coworker, a more patient manager, and a more grounded leader because of what marriage taught me.
Empathy, patience, and perspective translate everywhere.
Boys Never Dream of Marriage. But It Changes Everything
When I think back, most of my friends and I never dreamed about marriage.
We didn’t imagine the wedding, the vows, or the life that would follow. We just assumed it would happen someday.
But looking back, other than becoming a father, marriage has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me, even if I didn’t know it at the time.
Becoming a Better Man
Being a husband is one of the most important things a man can do.
You learn to care for someone other than yourself. You grow. You give. You become better, in ways you don’t even realize until much later.
Even if your partner doesn’t know how to cook 😜
Robert Statsky 