Men have been getting softer. Weaker. Less capable. Less masculine. Every generation since the Boomers has slid further down the slope of comfort, distraction, and weakness. If you want proof, just look around—fat, porn-addicted, screen-staring men everywhere who couldn’t swing an axe, lead their families, or change a fucking tire if their life depended on it.
Let’s rip the band-aid off and call it like it is.
Baby Boomers (1946–1964): The Last Backbone of Masculinity
Boomers were raised by war-hardened fathers. They grew up with grit in their blood, work in their bones, and discipline shoved down their throats. Men built careers, families, and weren’t afraid to sweat for survival.
Where they failed: They equated masculinity with paychecks and status. Too many became emotionally absent fathers. They taught work, but not presence. They built suburbs, but also built cages of consumerism.
Verdict: Hard, but not whole. Masculinity intact, but shallow. Not mature masculinity.
Gen X (1965–1980): The Detached Rebels
Gen X men were latchkey kids. Divorce rates soared, dads disappeared, and MTV replaced fatherly wisdom. They were tough because they had to figure shit out on their own. They were independent, resourceful, and cynical.
Where they failed: Their toughness often lacked direction. They turned apathy into a shield. Instead of stepping into leadership, many shrugged and said “whatever.”
Verdict: Still gritty, but drifting. Masculinity was still present, but without purpose.
Millennials (1981–1996): The Participation Trophy Generation
This is where the decline accelerated. Raised on helicopter parents, dopamine highs, and constant reassurance, Millennial men were told they were “special” just for showing up. They were coddled, protected, and rarely tested by the fire of discomfort.
Where they failed: They grew dependent on convenience and validation. The grind became “toxic.” Hardship became something to avoid, not embrace. Many fold under pressure because they’ve never been forged in it.
Verdict: Weakest men yet—soft bodies, soft minds, and confused masculinity.
Gen Z (1997–2012): The Digital Ghosts
Born into smartphones, TikTok, and cancel culture, Gen Z has almost no connection to reality. Masculinity is attacked at every turn, labeled “toxic” by weak voices who wouldn’t last a day in a real struggle.
Where they failed: They’re addicted to screens, disconnected from their bodies, fragile as glass when life hits. Mental health crises are through the roof. Many don’t know how to talk to a woman without swiping right first.
Verdict: The softest, most emasculated generation in human history.
Gen Alpha (2013–2025): The Screen-Babies
These kids are being raised by iPads instead of fathers. Parents throw screens in their faces instead of discipline.
Where they’re failing (already): They’re dopamine junkies before puberty. They can scroll like gods but can’t sit in silence or handle boredom. Unless they are intentionally taught, they’ll never know what it means to sweat, bleed, or grind.
Verdict: Too soon to call, but if the trajectory continues—they’ll be shells. Brains in the cloud, bodies wasting away. Ironic that THIS is the generation called Gen Alpha. But I see the potential. It is not too late to help.
The Flat Tire Test (Hypothetical – or NOT so hypothetical…)
Picture this: You’re driving down the highway. Suddenly—boom—flat tire. How does each generation of men handle it?
- Boomers: Pull over, curse, get the jack, swap the tire, and keep moving. Done in 15 minutes.
- Gen X: Roll their eyes, mutter “figures,” but still get the shit done because nobody else will.
- Millennials: Sit in the car, Google “how to change a tire,” realize it’s too hard, and call roadside assistance. Then take a selfie to post about their “bad luck.”
- Gen Z: Film a TikTok about their flat tire, add a crying filter, wait for AAA. They’ll Venmo request mom for the service fee.
- Gen Alpha: Won’t even be old enough to drive before Uber self-driving cars and AI fix it for them. They’ll grow up thinking changing a tire is some kind of myth from ancient history.
This is the difference between capable men and weak-ass generations. Something as basic as a flat tire exposes the decay.
The Savage Truth
Every generation since the Boomers has gotten softer. Weaker. More feminized. Masculinity has been ridiculed, shamed, and traded for convenience. And yet, masculinity is not dead—it’s dormant. It lies inside of every male.
It doesn’t matter if you were born a Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, Gen Z, or even Gen Alpha—you can reclaim your masculinity.
But here’s the price:
You’ve got to go inward. You’ve got to look your weaknesses dead in the fucking eye and stop lying to yourself. You’ve got to tear down the excuses, put your body and mind into discomfort, and forge yourself into something stronger. Discipline, intention, and action are the fire. Masculinity is the steel.
And once you reclaim it, you have a duty—to nourish it, grow it, expand it, and lead others to it. Because this world doesn’t need softer men. It doesn’t need weaker men. It needs men on fire with savage authenticity, relentless grit, and the balls to lead.
Masculinity can be reborn—if you choose to rise.
Ben Dodge, J.D.
Adventurer, Author, Entrepreneur, Extreme Endurance Athlete, Lawyer
