Loneliness is a human condition, not a gendered one, nor a heterosexual issue. Humans need emotional connections with other humans. These studies about men being lonely aren’t just about an absence of romantic relationships with women, but about an absence of friendships, as well. So no, the “cure” for men’s loneliness is not a woman. It’s not marriage. It’s not commitment. It’s relationships of all kinds with all genders. An emotional support system.

And there’s no reason a man can’t have a mission AND emotional connection.

The belief that all women want to be the center of a man’s life and won’t be happy unless he gives up all the other things he loves is strikingly sexist.