Arabic version: وحدة النساء تحتاج إلى اهتمام أكبر
According to The Guardian, research consistently finds similar levels of loneliness among men and women, despite public discussion often framing loneliness as a male crisis. Michelle Lim, a University of Sydney principal research fellow and adviser to the World Health Organization, said loneliness concerns everyone. Loneliness refers to feeling that relationships lack quality, quantity or both, while social isolation is the more objective absence of connection.
Men may be more socially isolated, with fewer people to talk to, but that does not necessarily mean they are lonelier if they are satisfied with their interactions. Women may have more connections while still feeling lonely within friendships or relationships. Lim said women’s greater exposure to caring responsibilities, lower average earnings, financial insecurity and adverse events including redundancy and divorce can predispose them to loneliness.
Experts cited gendered life experiences as important drivers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, loneliness increased for both men and women, but the rise among women was larger and was linked to increased workloads such as supervising children’s schooling. New parenthood, children leaving home, menstrual health and conditions including endometriosis can also affect women’s social connection. Professor Manuela Barreto of the University of Exeter said regular pain can limit socialising and make people feel alone.
The report also described how fertility struggles, miscarriage and new motherhood shaped loneliness for Sasha, a 38-year-old from Sydney, while Laura, 41, from Auckland, linked occasional loneliness to being single, living alone and occupying a different life stage from friends with children. A 2022 study across 30 countries found lower loneliness rates for men and women in countries with higher gender equality. Barreto said responses should examine the distinct experiences that hinder or support social connection for men, women and non-binary people.
