Professor G: This is Why Millennials Are the Most Anxious & Unhappy Generation

Scott Galloway provides an analysis of how the last three decades of economic policies have shifted wealth from younger to older generations, impacting the financial and social well-being of today's young adults.

Economic policies and decisions have resulted in a significant transfer of wealth from young to old generations.

Over the years, major economic policies and decisions have inadvertently caused a wealth transfer from the younger generation to the older one, asserts Galloway. He highlights how the two major tax deductions—on capital gains and mortgage interest—mostly benefit older individuals who are more likely to own stocks and homes. Furthermore, Galloway notes the stark contrast in wealth accumulation, where the average 70-year-old is 72% wealthier than 40 years ago, while those under 40 are 24% less wealthy. Critical policy decisions, such as the increased cost of living adjustment for Social Security recipients costing $135 billion per year, versus the removed proposal for a $35 billion increase in child tax credit, exemplify the prioritization of older citizens over younger ones. This prioritization is reflected in a sharp decline in child-bearing among 30- to 34-year-olds and a declining sense of patriotism among the younger generation.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this wealth transfer

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this transfer of wealth, with government aid programs and market interventions that buoyed the assets of the older and wealthier population. Galloway insinuates that the wealth distribution disparities have been accentuated during the pandemic, solidifying the already uneven economic playing field for younger generations.

Young people today are struggling financially compared to previous generations at the same age.

Young adults today face significant economic hurdles compared to their parents, Galloway points out. On an inflation-adjusted basis, they're earning considerably less than what their parents did at the same age. This financial strain has made milestones like home ownership increasingly elusive, as the pro ...

Scott Galloway and Lewis Howes explore the multifaceted challenges that young men face, from mental health issues to the lack of support in educational settings.

Young men are struggling with significant emotional and mental health issues.

Young men today confront a serious mental and emotional health crisis.

Young men are significantly more likely than young women to struggle with addiction, incarceration, and suicide.

Galloway highlights the stark statistics that young men are four times more likely to commit suicide, half as likely to attend college, three times more likely to be addicted, and twelve times more likely to be incarcerated than their female counterparts. He mentions that these issues are escalating, potentially affecting the emotional viability of young men. Furthermore, he notes that socio-economic factors can exacerbate mental health challenges; for instance, men might experience issues like erectile dysfunction more frequently when their female partners earn more.

The absence of positive male role models and the broader cultural pressure on men to suppress their emotions have exacerbated these mental health challenges.

Howes conveys the difficulty of navigating emotional expression within traditional frameworks of masculinity, sharing his struggles with the consequences of keeping emotions suppressed, like anger and feelings of emptiness. He also discusses how the silence around these struggles can lead to problematic and sometimes aggressive behaviors. Galloway reflects on previous societal attitudes towards mental struggle, where men were expected to cope alone, often resulting in suicide or other severe outcomes.

The educational system is not well-suited to the unique developmental needs of young men.

The education system is failing to address the particular developmental timeline and needs of young men.

Boys generally mature 18-24 months later than girls, putting them at a disadvantage in school environments that reward traits more common in girls.

Galloway points out that boys typically mature at a slower rate than girls, with their prefrontal cortex developing up to two years later. Th ...

In a spirited discussion, Lewis Howes and other commentators underscore the profound impact male role models and mentors have on the lives and development of young men.

Young men without positive male role models are at greater risk of negative outcomes.

Lewis Howes shares his own experience on the essential role of male leadership in his life, especially during challenging times.

Adolescent boys from single-parent households, especially those without a father figure, are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and struggle with emotional and mental health.

Lewis Howes speaks poignantly about the void left by his father after a car accident and how it led to his own struggle with insecurity and feelings of inadequacy. He recounts how thoughts of worthlessness and suicidal ideation were part of his experience, suggesting that such thoughts may be more prevalent in boys and young men without positive male figures.

Programs that connect young men with male mentors have shown promising results in improving outcomes.

The presence and guidance of male mentors and coaches provided Howes with a structured environment and clear goals, which he credits as a positive influence. He highlights the benefits of male mentorship at several stages of his life and notes that being open to guidance (being "coachable") was crucial to his personal development.

The broader culture has created barriers to men's involvement in the lives of young boys.

Despite the recognized need for male mentorship, contemporary societal challenges can impede men's willingness to serve as mentors.

Unfounded suspicions about the motives of men who want to mentor young boys have made it difficult for well-intentioned men to step into that role.

There is an existing concern about unnecessary suspicion that hinders men from getting involved in mentoring roles, affecting the support system for young men who lack male figures in their lives.

Encouraging more men to serve as positive role models and mentors for young boys, without judgment, could have a significant impact.

Howes and ...