When a society's most aspirational role models (e.g., K-pop stars) are contractually celibate and childless, it creates a powerful cultural script against coupling and family formation. This mimetic effect can significantly impact national birth rates by devaluing parenthood as a life goal for an entire generation.

Stable marriage is increasingly correlated with high income. While 75% of men in the top income quintile marry, only 25% in the bottom quintile do. This reframes the decline of marriage not as a cultural choice, but as a clear marker of economic class division.

The decline in the US marriage rate is driven more by age at first marriage than by a rejection of the institution. While the percentage of people who will ever marry has only slightly decreased, the average time a person spends married in their lifetime is much lower because they are marrying later than ever before.

The trend of younger generations drinking less may be linked to a larger societal shift. It correlates with rising social media use, mental illness, and lower rates of marriage, suggesting a decrease in "social lubrication" and in-person connection with potential economic consequences.

The significant drop-off in population size with Gen Z and Gen Alpha will lead to a sharp decline in household formation. This demographic shift is projected to cause a 25% peak-to-trough reduction in single-family home building by the early-to-mid 2030s.

Because women traditionally 'mate up' socioeconomically, the falling economic and educational status of men has shrunk the pool of 'eligible' partners. This contributes directly to a 'mating crisis' characterized by fewer relationships, delayed family formation, and lower birth rates, with broad societal consequences.

There is a direct correlation between a young man's economic status and his likelihood of being in a relationship. As wealth inequality grows, the stability and resources required for long-term partnerships are increasingly unattainable for lower-income men, effectively turning romance into a luxury good.

Marriage is no longer a universal institution but a strong indicator of economic status. Three-quarters of men in the top income quintile will marry, compared to only one-quarter in the lowest quintile, making stable partnership a modern Veblen good.

The crisis facing young men is fundamentally economic. Their declining viability as providers prevents family formation, a cornerstone of societal stability. This economic frustration leads to anger and radicalization, making the "lonely, broke young man" a uniquely destabilizing force in society.