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The Next Big Idea Daily

The Boys Are Not All Right

Feb 21, 2025
Richard Reeves, a scholar at the Brookings Institution and author of "Of Boys and Men," dives deep into the challenges facing boys and men today. He discusses the alarming academic gender gap and the need to redefine masculine identity for fostering equality. Reeves also highlights the socio-economic struggles, especially among black and working-class men, and criticizes the stagnant political dialogue on these issues. His insights spark a vital conversation about reforming representation and supporting fatherhood.
12:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Boys are falling behind girls in education, with a significant gender gap evident across all schooling levels and demographics.
  • The absence of fathers due to societal changes negatively affects children's academic outcomes, emphasizing the need for reforms in parental involvement.

Deep dives

Educational Disparities Among Genders

Boys are increasingly falling behind girls in educational settings, a trend that has significant implications for future opportunities. Evidence shows that three out of five college students are now women, marking a notable shift from previous decades where men dominated higher education. The educational gap is evident from early schooling through to college, with girls generally outperforming boys in critical subjects like reading and writing. This disparity is further accentuated among marginalized groups, such as black and poor boys, who face even steeper challenges in achieving academic success.

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