The questionable statistic at the heart of the “men don’t read fiction” discourse.

Summary

Concerns about American men reading less fiction have sparked cultural debates linking the trend to toxic masculinity and political shifts, such as increased support for Donald Trump.

Men read fewer books and less fiction than women, but the gap is modest. 73% of men and 78% of women read books annually, with fiction readership differing by 10-17%.

The exaggerated 80/20 gender fiction market split lacks verified sources.

Critics argue the “crisis” reflects fears about male disengagement, yet male authors still dominate bestseller lists and literary awards, complicating the narrative.

  • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
    36·
    5 days ago

    Not a single mention of the word game or gaming in that article. It’s my hypothesis that video games have largely supplanted fiction reading for boys and men over the past several decades. Men do read some science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction books but not general fiction or erotic fiction. Those latter categories are heavily targeted at women (eg. any of Elena Ferrante’s books or smash hits like Fifty Shades of Grey).

    There’s nothing here to suggest that toxic masculinity or the rise of Trumpism or the alt-right have anything to do with it.

    I (as a 40yo man) stopped reading for the most part many years ago. And it’s not for a lack of trying! I have purchased many books (fiction and nonfiction) but I struggle to bring myself to read them. I just don’t have the attention span and it’s really frustrating. I actually really want to read these books!

    • Tangent5280@lemmy.world
      3·
      3 days ago

      Hey, I don’t know if it will make a difference for you, but some time ago I had to take a really long trip where I had spotty internet at best, and I got back into reading in that trip because I was really bored. I rediscovered my drive when I went long enough without any alternatives to reading, forcing boredom on myself.

      Maybe something like this will help you also?

      • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 days ago

        That’s a great idea! I need to do that at some point! For a long time I’ve wanted to hike the pacific crest trail. Maybe I’ll bring books along for that! Thanks!

    • vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works
      8·
      5 days ago

      Also depending on the game it may include an impressive amount of reading. I once got an A in english for compiling all of the Mass Effect codex entries from the in universe perspective of half crazed author og them. Also I play CRPGs which means I read a lot.

      • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
        4·
        5 days ago

        Yeah I do tons of reading in the games I play! I’ve been playing Caves of Qud and there is a gargantuan amount of reading in that game. A lot of it is AI slop, admittedly, but its text to wade through nevertheless!