Part 6/11:
The Fear of Failure and Its High Cost
An additional reality for men in midlife is the significant emotional and financial risk associated with failed relationships. Having spent years, sometimes decades, investing in careers, assets, and sometimes children, they are reluctant to gamble these investments on a system of unpredictable romance. The threat of divorce, legal battles, and financial loss looms large, especially in a climate that has seen romance scams costing over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone.
The emotional toll of potential heartbreak compounded by the prospect of losing stability makes the idea of starting anew daunting. Many carry the scars of past heartbreak—divorce, betrayal, or long-term breakups—that make open vulnerability seem like too high a risk.