Something something virtual reality…
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Assuming there is something here that isn’t just an artifact of honest reporting and acceptance of other-than-hetero sexual relationships, is there any connection between this and the so-called “decline in male friendships”?
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That’s a good question. I listen to a lot of old time radio shows from the 40s and 50s, and there seemed to always be some kind of “club” where all the (straight, white) men would hang out together after work. They’d periodically come up with some project, like a civic thing or putting on a show or something.
I know we still have the Elks, AmVets, and maybe the Kiwanis, but they seem less casual than the clubs from the old radio shows. Probably just romanticized in the shows, but I wish we had more stuff like that, for all of us.
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Robert Putnam ties the decline of that kind of male friendship into a larger problem of American society.
I do think younger straight men are learning that friendships with other guys have as much value as romantic relationships with women, and that the trend Putnam describes is somewhat reversing. Video gaming parties and maker spaces in particular seem to be a new spin on the old men’s social clubs, but more inclusive of women, PoC, and LGBTQ people (though obviously there’s still a toxic Gamergater presence that would feel right at home in the old clubs).
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Wait, that’s not what this is?
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Lol the funny thing about the autism and gaming stats is that I am likely autistic (have a diagnosis appt in a few weeks!) and I met my husband playing WoW. Maybe when it comes to romance gaming and autism cancel each other out…
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Excellent point - I totally forgot about maker spaces when thinking that through. The kids will be alright 
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and:
Young men also are more likely to be living with their parents than young women: In 2014, for instance, 35 percent of men age 18 to 34 were living in their parents’ home, compared with 29 percent of women in that age group
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There are lots of the groups! Their membership is aging and they’d honestly love some new faces. I was part of a group that was for folks trying to get more involved in our local government and we had a day where we met with all these kind of groups. There was the Rotary Club (more for business professionals) I think there was Kiwanis (this was more older folks looking for projects to give back to the community), the Historical Society, Fine Arts League, there was another business networking one I can’t remember for small business owners. But yes these are totally out there and millenials/gen-z should totally keep them going. There’s gotta be some things to do besides stay home or go someplace where you need to buy something, if anyone is going to have any social life.
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Most of the young people I’ve known to join those clubs did so for (often successful!) professional networking. 
Not something I’d want to join for a relaxing time, but of course it’s healthy to find something, whether it’s a hiking group, or a tabletop gaming group, etc… I do wonder how isolated we’ll be in a few decades when VR becomes ubiquitous.
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