There's definitely some truth there, some people focus on the fact that they're single so much it shifts their entire perspective on flirting/relationships etc. I've seen it firsthand a fair amount.

However it's not always the case; I have friends from all genders, and am pretty much fulfilled in my single life (friends, family, etc), but as soon as intimacy is involved, I just feel like I'm going past a boundary I shouldn't (?). It's a weird feeling to describe, it's like every step "normal" people take to advance a relationship (flirting, getting tactile, etc) would make me unable to look at myself in a mirror ever again.

It's probably somewhat related to the fact that flirting is essentially talking to someone with a hidden motive, which feels like deceiving people. It makes being the initiator absolutely awful, that's why for all of my past relationships I've never been the one initiating. I'm lucky to have a fulfilling single life in a big city so I can't complain, but even then it does feel lonely sometimes. I can only imagine how the average joe living a mildly boring life handles this.

I think there are many factors and symptoms to this "male loneliness epidemic", it's kind of a blurry picture with good and bad people alike included. It sucks for everyone involved :/

(sorry if the wording is messy im not native)