Nearly Half of Men Fake Interests and Exaggerate Behaviors Due to Masculine Pressure

According to a recent study, almost half of men are exaggerating aspects of their personality and faking interests due to societal pressure to appear more masculine. The research, published ahead of International Men's Day on November 19, 2025, found that one in ten men are faking an interest in sports and exaggerating their alcohol consumption to fit in with outdated stereotypes.

The survey, conducted by Samaritans, also revealed that over two-thirds of men (68%) would live differently if they were free from social judgment. Many expressed desires to pursue activities like singing, painting, or dancing, which are often seen as less "masculine" pursuits.

Furthermore, the study found that around four in ten men (40%) exaggerate aspects of their personality in order to appear more masculine, with a third admitting to putting on an act to fit in with others. Approximately a fifth of men said their attempts to appear more masculine were often for the benefit of their male peers.

The findings highlight the persistent grip of outdated stereotypes about what it means to "be a man". Samaritans' chief executive, Julie Bentley, emphasized that many men are reaching out for help, but are often not heard or met with the right kind of support due to these ingrained societal expectations.

The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics, published in 2023, showed that around three-quarters of registered deaths by suicide were among males, a trend that has been observed since the mid-1990s. Samaritans has called the upcoming government's men's health strategy an important opportunity to address these issues and help drive down male suicide rates.