On with Kara Swisher What Makes A Man? Richard Reeves on Addressing the Struggles Facing Boys and Men
31 snips
Aug 14, 2025 
Richard Reeves, founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of "Of Boys and Men," dives into the pressing issues facing boys and men today. He highlights the 'male malaise,' exploring the political vacuum and societal pressures affecting modern masculinity. The conversation addresses the impact of smartphones and social media on identity, as well as the urgent need for positive male role models. Reeves emphasizes redefining masculinity to foster emotional well-being and unity across genders in tackling shared challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Caught Between Critique And Reaction
- Richard Reeves argues boys face a cultural squeeze between messages that they're the problem and reactionary calls to revert to old gender roles.
- He calls for a solutions-focused, non-zero-sum conversation that helps struggling boys without rolling back women's progress.
School Defaults Favor Girls' Development
- Reeves shows boys lag academically in verbal and executive skills, producing a widening gap in GPA and college enrollment.
- He links this to schooling norms that treat the default student as female, disadvantaging boys' behavior and organization.
Actively Recruit Men Into Teaching
- Create policies and programs to recruit more men into K-12 teaching and coaching roles to provide role models and break gender stereotypes.
- Use scholarships, outreach, and targeted pipelines similar to women-in-STEM efforts to shift occupational tipping points.
