The King of hearts: Why men are starting to get more in touch with their softer side in 2025
By Sanchia Saunders
Over the years men have often been painted with the same brush - more recently that brush spelling out the very familiarised term of, ‘men are trash’.
With these outdated stigmas and views, which realistically are often only associated with a small group of men, still heading precedence over the work that men are doing in today’s society to become more emotionally available - it highlights that maybe just maybe men deserve more grace.
As let’s be real, the “men are trash” term became a punchy meme in the 2020s, due to men’s wrongdoings being humourised in viral videos across platforms likes TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat & more.
But in 2025, it looks like things are finally starting to evolve.
Even though toxic masculinity such as “boys don’t cry” is still getting called out, with Reddit users saying,
“71.8 % of men got called weak for opening up” which is a major hurdle to emotional safety - things are finally starting to look up and narratives are finally starting to shift!
The Soft Side: Vulnerability Is the Glow-Up
With the narrative around men continuing to progress in a more positive light, it appears that vulnerability has become the new flex.
According to Bumble’s 2024 Dating Trends, 31 % of American men are more open and vulnerable, and 25 % globally report a happier emotional state thanks to this shift.
Sexpert Marina Lazaris even labels men who cry as “the best lovers” which is a seriously big glow‑up moment for men! In that space between brunch and therapy, men are levelling up their emotional intelligence and Gen Z daters are here for it.
However there is still more work to be done, especially when it comes to the mental health of men..
Men’s Mental Health: The Silent Crisis
According to reports, men account for a whopping 75 % of suicides in the UK and globally are nearly 4 × more likely to end their lives than women.
In England, 1 in 5 men will face serious mental health issues by 65, yet only 36 % of NHS talking therapy referrals land on men’s plates.
A shocking 40 % of UK men have never talked to anyone about their mental health, and 29 % cite embarrassment/pride as the blocker.
That’s why peer spaces like Andy’s Man Club with 240+ weekly sessions and ~5,700 members are literally lifesaving spaces.
Despite these statistics being very shocking and hard to read, it is the brutal truth and proof as to why we must take men’s mental health more seriously.
Graphics by: Ellie Hamilton Miller
Why Men Deserve Their Flowers Too
Based on the above, as well as the steps men are taking to be better, maybe It’s time to finally give men their flowers as it’s the emotionally literate, introspective guys who are fixing generational trauma and helping evolve relationship culture.
Dating coach Adam Cohen‑Aslatei notes traits like honesty and respect are in high demand and apps like Evntful are pioneering this by offering curated, activity-based dates that cultivate genuine connection not ghosting culture.
Evntful isn’t just another swipe app: you sync schedules, book real dates at partner venues, and check-in for safety - no pen‑pal messaging.
London-only users can punch out of endless swiping and into intentional dating.
It’s safety-first and connection-rich, thanks to partnerships with groups like Safer Business Networks and Ask for Angela ethos.
Let’s celebrate men who show sensitivity, emotionally clean living, and commitment to mental health because those are the real ones.
Future Dating for Men: Emojis + Emotions
If we think to the future, just like most of our work lives, dating will be hybrid; emotional cues + IRL events.
Such as dating apps prompting you to “share your fav self-care ritual” or badges like Therapy Chic or Emotionally Fluent.
Evntful is already modelling this: users pick events like padel, run-clubs, pottery, tarot stalls; complete with safety check-ins and curated experiences.
Evntful's soft launch party on 26th July 2025 at the Padel Yard, featuring pickleball, pottery, tarot and so much more; is a sign we’re moving into relationship 3.0.
Add peer‑coaching retreats, emotional‑skill workshops and offline-first dating platforms?
That’s the future.
Dating becomes holistic: mind, body, feelings - all in sync.
Imagine dating speed‑runs that focus on values and emotions instead of just appearance.
Credits:
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1h9tgzz/why_men_struggle_to_open_up_analyzing_1100_reddit/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
- Bumble 2024 Report: https://bumble.com/the-buzz/bumble-dating-trends-2024
- New York Post: https://nypost.com/2025/01/21/lifestyle/men-who-cry-make-better-lovers-sex-expert/
- True North Psychology: https://www.truenorth-psychology.com/post/men-s-mental-health-challenging-stigma-learning-vulnerability-and-giving-compassion
- Hope Therapy: https://www.hopefulminds.co.uk/the-stigma-around-mens-mental-health-why-its-time-to-talk/
- Wellityglobal: https://wellityglobal.com/2025/06/02/mens-health-week-2025-shoulder-to-shoulder-connecting-for-health/
- Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy%27s_Man_Club
- Ask for Angela: https://askforangela.co.uk/
