The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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Men and boys are struggling. Should we care?

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Dec 12, 2022

Guest

Richard Reeves

Richard V. Reeves, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of "Of Boys and Men," dives into the modern struggles faced by boys and men. He explores the educational and economic disparities causing men to lag behind women and the impact of evolving gender roles on young men. Reeves emphasizes the need for redefining masculinity, highlighting how support for better fatherhood and positive male role models can counteract negative stereotypes. His insights advocate for a balanced approach to gender equality that benefits everyone.

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insights

INSIGHT

The Plight of Boys and Men

Working-class boys and men are falling behind girls and women.
This is evident in various metrics, from education and income to suicide rates.

insights

INSIGHT

Declining Male Wages

Most men earn less now than in 1979, contributing to the narrowing gender pay gap.
Women's median earnings have risen by 30%, while men's have slightly dropped.

insights

INSIGHT

Gender Gap in K-12 Education

Girls outperform boys in K-12, often being a grade level ahead.
This gap is particularly pronounced in poorer school districts.

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Gender Disparities in Education and Earnings

02:57 • 7min

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The Shifting Landscape of Men and Women's Roles

09:34 • 12min

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Exploring the Struggles of Men and Boys and Their Impact on Society

21:45 • 4min

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Navigating Masculinity in a Changing World

25:54 • 20min

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Support Through Transformation: Furniture and Cancer Care

46:13 • 3min

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Redefining Parenthood and Masculinity

49:27 • 9min

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#174

• Mentioned in 79 episodes

Of Boys and Men

Richard V. Reeves

In 'Of Boys and Men,' Richard V. Reeves delves into the complex and urgent crisis of boyhood and manhood. He discusses how profound economic and social changes have led to many boys and men losing ground in education, the workplace, and family life. Reeves presents detailed research on the structural challenges, including lower academic performance, declining labor force participation, and the specific hardships faced by black boys and men. He argues that both conservative and progressive politicians have failed to provide effective solutions and offers fresh, innovative proposals such as delaying boys' entry into school, increasing male teachers, and improving vocational education. The book emphasizes the need for a positive vision of masculinity in a more equal world without compromising gender equality.

#31

• Mentioned in 201 episodes

12 Rules for Life

An Antidote to Chaos

Jordan B Peterson

In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life. He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life. The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient). ' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.

#2411

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Unbound

A Woman's Guide to Power

Kasia Urbaniak

Unbound: A Woman's Guide to Power is a comprehensive guide that offers precise, practical instruction on how women can stand in their power, find their voice, and use it effectively. The book, written by Kasia Urbaniak, draws from her unique experiences as a dominatrix and her training to become a Taoist nun. It addresses common issues such as why women often feel reluctant to speak up in meetings or difficult conversations and how they can overcome these barriers. The book teaches women how to embrace their desires, navigate resistance, flip power dynamics, and create new roles for the people in their lives. It is part manual, part manifesto, and part behind-the-scenes look, aiming to help women live their most satisfying and powerful lives by breaking ingrained conditioning and mastering influential conversations.

Sean Illing talks with author, researcher, and Brookings Institution senior fellow Richard V. Reeves about his new book Of Boys and Men, which documents the ways that males all over the industrialized world are struggling — and what to do about it. Sean and Richard talk about how this crisis among men has its roots in the progress societies have made toward gender equality, about what has been exposed as the playing field has become more level, and about how to challenge our traditional understandings of masculinity and fatherhood in order to address the crisis — which, Reeves says, will be to everybody's benefit.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area

Guest: Richard V. Reeves (@RichardvReeves), author; senior fellow, Brookings Institution; director, Future of the Middle Class Initiative

References:

Of Boys And Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It by Richard V. Reeves (Brookings; 2022)
"The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss" by Daniel A. Cox (American Survey Center; June 8, 2021)
Unbound: How Inequality Constricts Our Economy and What We Can Do about It by Heather Boushey (Harvard; 2019)
"Gender Achievement Gaps in U.S. School Districts" by Sean F. Reardon et al. (American Educational Research Journal vol. 56 (6); Apr. 25, 2019)
"The GOP's masculinity panic: David French on the cult of toughness on the Trumpist right" by Sean Illing (Jan. 5; episode here or here)
"Infrastructure Bill Must Create Pathways for Women To Enter Construction Trades" by Marina Zhavoronkova and Rose Khattar (Center for American Progress; Sept. 20)
12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson (Random House Canada; 2018)
"Few Good Men" by Kathryn Edin (American Prospect; Dec. 19, 2001)
"Redshirt the Boys: Why boys should start school a year later than girls" by Richard V. Reeves (The Atlantic; Sept. 14)
"What might interrupt men's suicide? Results from an online survey of men" by Fiona L. Shand et al. (BMJ vol. 5 (10); Oct. 15, 2015)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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