Men Without Work

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Nicholas Eberstadt’s 2016 study highlights the alarming decline of work among men in modern America, revealing that over six million prime-age men (25–54) are neither employed nor seeking work. While official reports boast low unemployment rates, they overlook a growing number of labor force dropouts, a trend that has persisted for fifty years. Eberstadt presents a stark analysis of male unemployment, depicting lives increasingly disconnected from civil society. The traditional American work ethic, once a source of pride for men, has eroded. Six years later, following a catastrophic pandemic, the issue appears to be expanding to prime-age women and older workers. In a new introduction, Eberstadt discusses how the government's response to Covid-19, including widespread shutdowns and generous unemployment benefits, unintentionally encouraged a withdrawal from the workforce. Despite vaccine rollouts, millions of working-age individuals remain on the sidelines, leaving over 11 million jobs unfilled. Current low unemployment rates are misleading, masking the reality that fewer prime-age men are actively seeking work than ever before. Given the ongoing economic fallout from the pandemic and its unforeseen consequences, this reissue of Eberstadt’s work is more relevant than ever.