Boys and men struggle in areas such as education, income, and mental health, with girls consistently outperforming boys academically.
Gender equality efforts have often neglected the challenges faced by boys and men, but addressing these struggles benefits everyone.
The traditional understanding of fatherhood needs to evolve to support fathers' involvement and recognize the role of positive male role models and community support.
Deep dives
The Struggle of Boys and Men
Boys and men, especially working-class men, are falling behind and facing various challenges. They are doing worse than girls and women in areas such as education, income, and mental health. The gender pay gap has narrowed partially because men's wages have dropped while women's have increased. In terms of education, girls consistently outperform boys, with higher GPAs and greater readiness for school. The education system is structured in ways that advantage girls, including developmental differences, a decline in male teachers, and a lack of focus on applied learning styles. The struggles of boys and men are more pronounced among lower-income and marginalized communities.
The Impact of Gender Inequality on Boys and Men
The progress towards gender equality has been centered around empowering and including girls and women, which is crucial. However, the focus on gender equality has led to a lack of attention on the challenges faced by boys and men. The struggle of men does not mean turning our backs on women; rather, it is an opportunity to support and uplift everyone. Recognizing the hardships faced by men, such as lower wages and declining labor force participation, benefits society as a whole. It is important to address the gender disparities in education and acknowledge that equality means addressing the needs of all genders.
Reassessing Fatherhood and Supporting Male Role Models
Traditional notions of fatherhood as the breadwinner no longer align with the realities of modern families, where both parents often work. The society's expectations of fathers need to evolve to encompass a broader understanding of success and purpose, valuing the involvement and presence of fathers in their children's lives. Fathers play a crucial role in child development and should be recognized and supported. The lack of positive male role models and community support can contribute to issues faced by boys and young men. Creating environments where male-male friendships can flourish and nurturing healthy relationships can help address the challenges faced by boys and men.
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Addressing the struggles of men and boys
There is a significant need to address the challenges faced by men and boys, particularly in the context of economic inequality. Studies have shown that men have been a slight drag on middle-income families' growth, and boys from poorer backgrounds are severely affected by educational and economic disparities. By acknowledging these problems and implementing policies like equal paid leave and starting boys in school a year later, we can create a more inclusive society that supports the development and well-being of men and boys.
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
