The podcast dives into the alarming decline of men's education, health, and economic prospects, challenging the idea of male privilege. It explores the resurgence of positive masculinity within religious communities and the role of exemplary male saints in shaping young men's identities. A fascinating discussion on gender complementarity highlights how both men and women can enhance each other's lives. Finally, the importance of heroic masculinity in evangelization showcases how men can positively influence the church and society.
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insights INSIGHT
Men's struggles
Men face declining education, earnings, and mental health.
This contradicts the narrative of male privilege.
insights INSIGHT
Feminism's impact
Exaggerated forms of feminism may demonize men, causing them to withdraw.
This might contribute to a lack of confidence and lower life goals.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Engaging boys
Bishop Barron recalls a high school example of teaching Lord of the Flies.
Traditional discussions bored boys, while a model-building project engaged them.
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In 'Why Gender Matters,' Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the biologically programmed differences between boys and girls, discussing how these differences affect their perception, learning, emotional processing, and risk-taking behaviors. The book addresses various issues such as discipline, education, and the impact of social media and video games on children. Sax argues that failing to recognize these differences can lead to reinforcing damaging stereotypes and failing to support children in reaching their full potential. The second edition includes new research on gender non-conforming, LGB, and transgender children, as well as the medicalization of misbehavior and the importance of adapting educational practices to accommodate these differences.
Boys Adrift
The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
Leonard Sax
In *Boys Adrift*, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at home. He identifies five key factors: changes in school environments, the impact of video games, the misuse of stimulant medications for ADHD, the presence of endocrine disruptors, and the lack of positive male role models. Sax presents practical solutions, including strategies for educators to re-engage boys in school and tips for parents on managing homework, video games, and medication. The book emphasizes the need to address these issues to improve the well-being and future prospects of boys and young men.
Despite the enduring, progressive narrative that society favors and privileges men, the sociological data reveals men have and continue to experience devastating declines in education, earning power, economic mobility, relationship stability, and physical and mental health. Often vilified by secular culture as “toxic” merely for existing, men are often far sicker, poorer, more addicted, more depressed, more incarcerated, and more likely to commit suicide than women.
However, more men than women now regularly go to church; numerous religious movements have been founded with the aim of helping men to overcome their spiritual, mental, and even physical weaknesses; and a new class of Christian men have been emerging on the political and cultural scene unapologetically calling for a return to traditional biblical values. How should we interpret this apparent masculinization of the faith and its effect on revitalizing the role of men in society? What insights does the Church offer, and what can we all learn from this to better evangelize both men and women?
A listener asks why—procreation aside—God created a woman for Adam as opposed to another man.
00:00 | Intro 01:49 | Bishop Barron back from Rome 02:25 | Assessing grim statistics about men 04:27 | Contributing cultural movements to masculine discouragement 11:04 | Channeling masculine aggression 14:47 | A complementary view of male and female 17:52 | The return of men to the Church 22:35 | Resources for recovering masculinity from its shadow side 25:21 | Holy male exemplars 27:15 | What the Church offers for masculine vision 28:49 | Listener question 30:53 | Join the Word on Fire Institute
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