Friendships are one of the few relationships that we choose.

They can last longer than our romantic relationships and be just as intimate.

They can take on the role of family if our own falls short.

Having friends is an important part of the human experience, but over the past few years,

adult friendship has been on the decline and men are suffering the most from this.

Hey, this is Drew Johnson from Cincinnati, Ohio, 35 and have at best one actual friend maybe.

And I have him because I might now have to go and work with him for a while and then he came to live with us.

And it's depressing as all hell.

I can't figure out how to make friends because confidence to go out and do anything on my own is at a minimum and anybody did.

Both through that is well not there.

Drew, thanks for that message.

According to the Survey Center on American Life, in 2021, the percentage of men with at least six close friends has fallen by half since 1990.

One in five single men in the USA, they have zero close friends.

Why are men struggling to make and maintain friendships more than ever?

And what can they and the people who care about them do to change it?

We answer those questions and hear from you.

I'm Jen White. You're listening to the one-aid podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

We've got a lot to get into you so stay with us.

Let's welcome Frederick Rabinowitz. He's a professor and chair in psychology at the University of Redlands in California.

He specializes in men's mental health and depression.

Fred, welcome to the program.

Thank you.

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