<
Back Then: Dirt Roads, Real Women, and Daisy Dukes
There was a time when Daisy Dukes weren’t a costume—they were a way of life. Short shorts, muddy boots, and a girl who could swing a hammer, gut a deer, and cook a full meal without asking for applause. Country girls used to be proud of what they were, not what they could sell.
They didn’t need ring lights or followers. They had backbone. They had skills. And they damn sure weren’t looking for validation from internet strangers.
Now? Half of them are online, selling the idea of themselves to people they’ll never meet. Calling it freedom while living on tips and attention.
In one generation, we went from Daisy Dukes to OnlyFans—and it’s not just sad. It’s cultural collapse in real time.
It didn’t start with OnlyFans. It started when country girls stopped caring about who they were and started caring about how they looked on a screen. When likes became currency and TikTok trends mattered more than personal dignity.
It used to be about real life—hard work, strong family, showing up when it counted. Now it’s about the selfie at golden hour, the bikini post with the right caption, and chasing that little dopamine hit every time a stranger hits “like.” Praise from anonymous followers replaced pride in real-world character.
The rise of Instagram and TikTok didn’t just turn city girls into influencers—it dragged country girls into the same game. They started performing instead of living. Polishing every moment for clout. Pretending to be humble while begging for attention.
Every post is a setup. Every moment is staged. And none of it’s real—but the need to be seen? That’s real. And it’s eating them alive.
Then came the money. OnlyFans was just the next step down. The logical outcome of a culture that told girls their value was how well they could pose, not how well they could live.
The app took that craving for attention and turned it into cash. Now it’s one of the most profitable digital strip clubs in the world:
- Over 4.1 million creators, 84% of them women
- More than 305 million subscribers
- $5.3 billion paid out in 2023
- A tiny elite at the top, millions at the bottom fighting for scraps
It promises freedom and fast money. But most who jump in get neither. What they do get is regret, isolation, and pressure to go further than they ever meant to.
- 34% of creators say it’s damaged their mental or physical health
- 30% report dealing with anxiety, depression, and body distortion
- Many say they’re pushed into more extreme content just to survive the algorithm
This isn’t some women’s empowerment story. This is addiction wrapped in empowerment language. It’s burnout dressed in filters. And while women are paying the price in broken identity, men are getting wrecked too.
Men Are Losing Too—and Don’t Even Know It
We’re witnessing a generation of men who equate digital interactions with genuine connections. A significant portion of OnlyFans users are male, with a notable percentage being married. This indicates that many are seeking fulfillment outside their committed relationships, turning to virtual platforms for validation.
Instead of building meaningful relationships and pursuing real-world ambitions, many are investing time and money into parasocial relationships—one-sided connections where they believe they’re forming bonds with content creators who remain unaware of their existence. This shift has led to a decline in traditional masculine roles and responsibilities.
The consequences are evident:
- Erosion of Masculinity: Traditional male roles emphasizing responsibility, protection, and provision are being overshadowed by passive consumption of digital content.
- Identity Crisis: With the rise of digital validation, many men struggle to define their self-worth outside of online interactions.
- Generational Impact: Younger men, observing these patterns, are at risk of adopting similar behaviors, leading to a cycle of detachment from real-world responsibilities and relationships.
This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a societal one. The fabric of our communities relies on men who are engaged, responsible, and connected. As more men retreat into digital realms, the repercussions will be felt across families, workplaces, and communities.
From the Woods to the Wi-Fi: Where Did the Outdoors Go?
There was a time when kids spent their free time outside—fishing, camping, running around until the porch lights came on. Now? They’re indoors, glued to screens, chasing fake intimacy and fake validation.
The numbers back it up. According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, 57.7 million Americans went fishing in 2023—sounds good on the surface. But dig deeper, and the cracks show. The majority of anglers—87%—started before age 12, yet participation drops off hard after age 18. And young women? They’re quitting the sport at 11% higher rates than men.
That’s not just about fishing. That’s about a culture disconnecting from the real world. Replacing time outside with curated online content. Replacing the thrill of the catch with the thrill of being watched. Replacing grit, patience, and skill with filters, captions, and constant self-promotion.
And it’s not just the girls. Boys aren’t learning how to hunt, fish, or build. They’re not getting dirt under their nails. They’re getting soft behind screens—more comfortable scrolling than surviving. We used to teach kids how to provide. Now we teach them how to perform.
If you want to understand what’s really being lost, don’t just look at the algorithms. Look at the empty lakes. Look at the silent trails. Look at the fact that fewer young men can bait a hook than know how to edit a thirst trap.
From Culture to Clout: What We’ve Lost
The fact that fewer young people can bait a hook than edit a thirst trap should tell you everything. We’re not just losing skills—we’re losing the foundation that used to hold communities together.
This isn’t just about tech. It’s not just about OnlyFans or girls online. It’s not even just about weak men. It’s about what we gave up to build this digital illusion.
We traded values for views. Family for followers. Purpose for performance.
We used to raise girls to be strong women—wives, mothers, leaders in their homes and towns. Now? Half of them want to be influencers. And it’s not just the daughters. Scroll Instagram or Twitter and you’ll find full-grown mothers—some pushing 40—posting bikini pics, thirst traps, gym selfies, and “look at me” videos like they’re still 19. They’re not on OnlyFans, but they’re addicted to the same thing: attention from strangers.
Meanwhile, their kids are being raised by screens. No guidance. No values. Just more filters, more followers, more dysfunction.
We used to raise boys to be protectors and providers. Now we raise them to perform. To play it safe. To sit down, shut up, and scroll.
We used to build things that lasted. Homes. Families. Reputations. Now? Everything’s disposable. Content disappears in 24 hours—and so do the people behind it.
This isn’t culture anymore. It’s a clout economy. And it’s not empowering—it’s hollowing people out from the inside.
We’ve built a society on exposure instead of honor. Metrics instead of meaning.
And we’re raising a generation that thinks being seen is the same as being valuable.
It’s not just digital rot. It’s generational decay.
To the Men Still Standing: You’re the Anchor Now
This culture doesn’t want men strong. It wants them compliant. Distracted. Quiet. And that’s exactly why your voice matters more than ever.
If you’re still holding the line—working hard, speaking truth, raising your family to reject the nonsense—you’re already doing the work that matters. You’re the one showing the next generation what real value looks like. You don’t need permission to lead. You don’t need to be liked. You just need to be unshakable.
There are fewer of us than there should be—but we’re out here. Men who still believe in responsibility. In boundaries. In calling this cultural collapse what it is. You won’t find them on mainstream talk shows or TikTok panels, but if you know where to look, you’ll find the fire still burning.
Our friends at DadsAgainstTheMachine.com have been saying it for a while: we’re not dealing with a lack of opportunity—we’re dealing with a war on identity. And if you can see it, you’re already ahead of the pack.
