A significant societal shift in recent years has been the growing crisis of loneliness and confusion among young women, particularly those told they can ‘have it all’ without men, marriage, or motherhood. But the consequences of this progressive narrative are becoming painfully clear.
On Wednesday’s show, Megyn was joined by Jordan Peterson, co-founder of Peterson Academy and author of We Who Wrestle with God, to discuss challenges young women face in the dating world and the issue with the “settling” mentality.
The Loneliness Epidemic
In recent years, women have gotten increasingly honest about their struggle to ‘have it all.’ Peterson said that, after spending their childbearing years chasing radical individualism and a false sense of empowerment, women may end up feeling isolated and regretful. “When an increasing majority of young people are headed for a relationship-less and childless future, none of those liberal presuppositions hold,” he noted.
Peterson highlighted two alarming trends. One, is the a massive spike in unhappiness among liberal, unmarried women; and two, is the sobering fact that nearly half of women in the Western world now don’t have any children by the age of 30. “Half of those will never have a child despite wanting one,” he said. “They will hit 40 and be alone for 50 years.”
He attributed this to a flawed but consequential belief system. “The problem with the progressive, liberal-types is that they think that being mentally healthy is a matter of getting your individual psyche in order,” Peterson explained. But isolation does not breed happiness.
Peterson emphasized that true fulfillment arises from engaging in meaningful relationships and responsibilities. “Happiness, resilience, meaning, purpose are all a consequence of organizing that hierarchy properly and finding your place within it,” he added.
The Problem with Settling
But what about young women who want to get married and start a family and are having trouble finding a partner? Megyn said she hears from right-of-center women in their late twenties all the time who ask her: “Should I just settle?”
Peterson challenged the very premise of the question. “Who is settling in that equation,” he asked. “It is quite the narcissistic proclamation that it is clearly you who is settling.” He urged women to look inward. “Why do you start with such a high opinion of yourself and such a low opinion of the people who are pursuing you,” he challenged.
Instead of asking “how do I find the person who’s right for me,” Peterson flipped the question to “how do I make myself into the sort of person that is so attractive to other people that potential mates are lining up?” Therefore, it is not about lowering standards but rather about strengthening character and moral integrity to become someone who naturally attracts the trust, respect, and genuine connection they seek.
The Takeaway
With that said, Peterson acknowledged women have the right to be selective – and should be. He said he celebrates those who seek maturity, reliability, and fatherly potential in a partner. But he draws a line between having high standards and being entitled. “A lucky woman has five potential partners in her life,” he said, reminding listeners that opportunities for lasting relationships are rare and should be met with perspective, not presumption.
His advice: “Start the bloody process with a little more humility.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Peterson by tuning in to episode 1,035 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.