Think from KERA Why young women want to leave the U.S.
Mar 16, 2026
Faith Hill, staff writer at The Atlantic who covers young adults and gender, discusses why young women’s wellbeing is worsening. She talks about mixed messages women face, mental-health declines, rising misogyny and why many consider leaving the U.S. Short, clear takes on education, debt, safety, changing gender roles and the cultural forces shaping young women’s choices.
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Women's Mental Health Is Declining In Measurable Ways
- Women's reported rates of depression and anxiety are consistently higher and appear to be worsening recently across countries.
- A 2024 study found women scored worse on fear, anxiety, suicidality and feeling overwhelmed, and women attempt suicide more often though men die more often by suicide.
An Industry Built Around Men's Struggles
- Faith Hill describes an industry of experts and conferences focused on men's struggles while women's struggles are treated as unsurprising.
- She observed that the sheer volume of men's-focused content made women's persistent suffering fade from urgent discussion.
Economic Shifts Are Reshaping Masculine Identity
- Shifting masculine ideals plus shrinking breadwinner jobs create identity confusion for many young men.
- Declines in manufacturing, college attendance, and workforce attachment reduce clear economic roles once tied to masculinity.