probably them coping with the fact that for the non religious, there isnt much of an objective meaning to life.
This has bad implications for the average traditional parent, (probably like yours)
Because since nothing is objectively good or bad, you cannot shame an inkwell for doing nothing with his life
Even under some worldviews, (like christianity or Buddhism) celibacy is seen as a virtue, not a faliure as a man. Yet many "trad" circles push marriage as a "must" that any real christian would partake in