Gender Differences and Social Dynamics

Women have been systematically marginalized throughout history. However, new research shows a growing gender gap in the other direction. Today, men may face many disadvantages regarding education and the workforce. So, how should society address the disadvantages of both women and men in a nuanced and inclusive way?

Richard Reeves founded the American Institute for Boys and Men after writing the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It. His work on class and inequality can also be found in publications like The New York Times and The Atlantic. 

Richard and Greg discuss the current disadvantages faced by men, the historical context of gender inequality, and potential solutions like “redshirting” boys in education to better serve their developmental needs. 

*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*

Episode Quotes:

Zero-sum thinking undermines gender progress for all

03:41: It feels to some people like it is zero-sum, and that, somehow, to acknowledge the problems of boys and men is to dilute the necessary work that still needs to be done for women and girls. You sort of have to choose, pick a side, or certainly this was the experience that I was warned about, which is that it's just really hard to elevate the problems of boys and men without somehow falling into the trap of being seen as anti-women and girls or anti the progress that they need. And so that zero-sum thinking around gender is a big part of the problem too.

Nature matters, but nurture is key in expressing our differences

49:14: The thing I find most frustrating about this whole ridiculous nature-nurture debate is that acknowledging some role for nature doesn't make nurture less important. It makes it more important because that is how we learn how to express these natural differences.

Are women excelling more educationally?

12:26: I think a lot of women have inherited this message: that if you want to get ahead, you're going to have to work even harder. It's almost like an immigrant mindset. It's like, you're going to have to be even better, work even harder. And so that message, I think, has really affected at least one or two generations of women who just seem to have much greater aspiration educationally than boys and men do. And that's playing out in the data.

Not a lack of rights, structural shifts leave men unmoored and vulnerable

14:25: There are real problems facing boys and men in different areas, but it's not because of a lack of rights, and it's not because of discrimination; it's a result of a series of quite big structural changes in the economy and society that have left a lot of men kind of feeling unmoored, uncertain, and vulnerable, and that problem is just a different problem.

Show Links:

Recommended Resources:

• Claudia Goldin | unSILOed 
• Joseph Henrich
• David Deming
• Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs by Josh Hawley
• Jordan Peterson 
• The Rise of the Meritocracy by Michael Young
• Darrin McMahon

Guest Profile:

• Fellow Profile at Brookings Institute
• Professional Website
• American Institute for Boys and Men

His Work:

• Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It
• Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do About It
• Redshirt the Boys | The Atlantic
• Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich | The New York Times