Yes we are definitely deeply affected by the culture around us. In meditation terms this is one of the 3 avenues of "karma" that affects us. The first being our own karma and the second our family karma. Karma is basically another term for cause an effect. We are changed and affected through those 3 avenues.

Males in western culture have been getting a bashing for decades now and we are seeing the results of that with a growing disenfranchisement of males. Interestingly male suicide in the west is something like 4 times that of female suicide.

I personally don't buy into the society is broken idea but a lot of people do and they might be right. But I think society has always had it's issues and as we get older and wiser we see those issues. But they've always been there in one form or another. We were just benefiting from naivete when we were younger.

As for whether you can handle it - the answer is yes you can. You've made it this far. You were in the military. Dude, you can handle anything if you put your mind to it. The question is whether there is the will. This is where we need grit. Because yes you can handle it, but also yes it is REALLY tough. And that last bit cannot be emphasised enough.

And ultimately, we cannot affect or change society/the culture around us. Our impact is so minute. So what we have to do is bring the camera back on ourselves and ultimately take responsibility for our own experience. But this is tough. Very tough.

Obviously as a meditation teacher I recommend you look into that. But also I recommend you listen to some Jordan B Peterson videos. He's helped in a particular a lot of men get meaning back through his videos.