Young men are facing a significant crisis, highlighted by alarming statistics: they are four times more likely to commit suicide, three times more prone to addiction, and twelve times more likely to be incarcerated than their female counterparts. While women have made remarkable strides globally in education and political representation, young men in the U.S. have sharply declined in various social metrics. A higher number of single women own homes, and in urban areas, women are out-earning men. The narrative surrounding these issues often overlooks the unique struggles young men face, such as a rising homelessness and opioid addiction crisis that predominantly affects them. Accountability is often emphasized for young men, yet if similar issues were affecting any other demographic, society would mobilize to address it. Changing the dialogue around these challenges is crucial, as empathy should not be seen as a zero-sum game. Acknowledging the struggles of young men, including low sexual activity, workforce disengagement, and dating challenges, is vital for ensuring a robust middle class and overall societal stability.
In this special conversation, NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway and head of TED Chris Anderson dive deeper into Galloway’s explosive recent TED Talk, which has been seen by millions and ignited conversations about what he calls “the great intergenerational theft,” or how older generations are stealing prosperity from the young. With razor-sharp insights on the skyrocketing cost of housing, the mental health crisis created by social media, reckless government spending and more, Galloway explores bold solutions to the most pressing issues facing young people — and delivers a few spectacular rants along the way. (If you’ve already seen Galloway's TED Talk, skip ahead to 20:25.)