The Problems of Boys and Men in Today's America (with Richard Reeves)
2Digest
This podcast delves into the complex issues facing boys and men in contemporary society, highlighting the widening gender gap in education, the challenges men face in the workplace, and the changing landscape of family life. The podcast begins by examining the educational disparities between boys and girls, with boys falling behind in every stage of the education system. This gap is particularly pronounced for boys from low-income backgrounds and Black boys. The podcast attributes this disparity to the earlier cognitive development of girls, particularly in executive functioning skills, which are highly valued in the current education system. To address these challenges, the podcast proposes policy recommendations such as delaying boys' entry into school and increasing the number of male teachers. The podcast then shifts its focus to the workplace, highlighting the stagnation of wages for men outside the top income brackets, the decline in male labor force participation, and the increasing penalty for not finishing high school or college. These trends suggest a growing economic disadvantage for many men. The podcast also explores the transformation of family life, particularly the rise in births outside of marriage, and argues for a reinvention of fatherhood as an institution that matters in its own right, independent of the relationship between fathers and mothers. The podcast concludes by examining the concept of relational masculinity, arguing that men find significance and purpose through relationships and service. It contrasts this with the "lone ranger" myth of masculinity, which emphasizes individualism and self-reliance. The podcast argues that the latter is both anthropologically false and morally wrong, leading to a sense of unneededness and despair among men. This sense of unneededness, the podcast argues, contributes to the high suicide and drug overdose rates among men, particularly young men. The podcast emphasizes the importance of marriage in providing men with a sense of purpose and structure, but acknowledges the challenges of the changing marriage landscape and the difficulty for men to find substitutes for the civilizing impact of marriage.
Outlines
The Crisis in Boys' and Young Men's Education
This chapter explores the widening gender gap in education, with boys falling behind girls in every stage of the education system. The gap is particularly pronounced for boys from low-income backgrounds and Black boys. Data points highlight the disparity in GPA, with boys disproportionately represented in the bottom 10%.
Cognitive Development and the Gender Gap
This chapter delves into the reasons behind the gender gap in education, focusing on cognitive development. It argues that girls mature earlier than boys, particularly in executive functioning skills, leading to an advantage in areas like GPA and homework completion. This advantage is amplified by the current education system, which rewards these skills.
Policy Recommendations for Boys' Education
This chapter discusses two policy recommendations to address the challenges boys face in education: delaying boys' entry into school and increasing the number of male teachers. The chapter argues that delaying entry could level the playing field by allowing boys to mature at their own pace, while more male teachers could provide positive role models and challenge the perception of education as a female domain.
Challenges Facing Men in the Workplace
This chapter examines the challenges men face in the workplace, particularly the stagnation of wages for men outside the top 25-30% of the income distribution. The chapter also discusses the decline in male labor force participation, especially among less skilled men, and the increasing penalty for not finishing high school or college.
The Transformation of Family Life and Fatherhood
This chapter explores the dramatic changes in family life, particularly the rise in births outside of marriage, especially among those outside the college-educated class. The chapter argues for a reinvention of fatherhood as an institution that matters in its own right, independent of the relationship between fathers and mothers.
Relational Masculinity and its Importance
This chapter delves into the concept of relational masculinity, arguing that men find significance and purpose through relationships and service. It contrasts this with the "lone ranger" myth of masculinity, which emphasizes individualism and self-reliance. The chapter argues that the latter is both anthropologically false and morally wrong, leading to a sense of unneededness and despair among men.
The Consequences of Unneededness and Despair
This chapter explores the tragic consequences of men feeling unneeded and lacking purpose, including high suicide and drug overdose rates. The chapter highlights the increasing suicide rates among young men, suggesting a connection to the changing social landscape and the challenges they face in finding meaning and belonging.
The Role of Marriage in Men's Lives
This chapter examines the role of marriage in providing men with a sense of purpose and structure. It argues that marriage, while not the only path to a meaningful life, has traditionally provided a framework for men to find significance and connection. The chapter also discusses the challenges of the changing marriage landscape and the difficulty for men to find substitutes for the civilizing impact of marriage.
Keywords
Executive Functioning Skills
Cognitive skills that control and regulate behavior, including planning, working memory, and self-control. These skills are crucial for academic success and are often associated with maturity.
Relational Masculinity
A concept that emphasizes the importance of relationships and service in defining masculinity. It contrasts with the "lone ranger" myth, which focuses on individualism and self-reliance.
Deaths of Despair
A term used to describe the increase in deaths from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related causes, particularly among middle-aged white men. It suggests a connection to economic hardship, social isolation, and a lack of purpose.
Red Shirting
The practice of delaying a child's entry into school, often for academic reasons. It is more common among affluent families and is seen as a way to give children an advantage in the education system.
Unbundled Marital Contract
The idea that the traditional marital contract, based on economic dependency of women on men and emotional dependency of men on women, has been broken down. This has led to a shift in expectations and a greater emphasis on individual autonomy.
Q&A
What are some of the key reasons for the widening gender gap in education, particularly in areas like GPA and homework completion?
The chapter argues that girls mature earlier than boys, especially in executive functioning skills, which are crucial for academic success. This developmental difference, combined with an education system that rewards these skills, contributes to the observed gender gap.
What are some policy recommendations for addressing the challenges boys face in education?
The chapter suggests delaying boys' entry into school to allow them to mature at their own pace and increasing the number of male teachers to provide positive role models and challenge the perception of education as a female domain.
What are some of the alarming trends in men's workplace experiences?
The chapter highlights the stagnation of wages for men outside the top income brackets, the decline in male labor force participation, and the increasing penalty for not finishing high school or college. These trends suggest a growing economic disadvantage for many men.
How has the transformation of family life impacted the concept of fatherhood?
The chapter argues that the rise in births outside of marriage and the increasing economic independence of women have led to a need for a reinvention of fatherhood. It suggests that fatherhood should be viewed as an institution that matters in its own right, independent of the relationship between fathers and mothers.
What are some of the consequences of men feeling unneeded and lacking purpose?
The chapter highlights the high suicide and drug overdose rates among men, particularly young men. It suggests that these tragic consequences are linked to a sense of unneededness and a lack of meaning in life.
Show Notes
Many boys and men in America are doing worse than girls and women in education while struggling with a culture that struggles to define what masculinity is in the 21st century. Is this a problem? Richard Reeves thinks so which is why he started the American Institute for Boys and Men. Listen as Reeves discusses the state of boys and men and what might be done about it with EconTalk's Russ Roberts.
Table of contents
United States
Russ, tell the kulak class propagandist from Brookings to worry not. The Harris admin., during its reign has been quite busy actively dismantling title nine that had previously advantaged females in the educational facade. FORWARD COMRADES!!! Equality in poverty for all!* * of course excepting the ruling class, who obviously require more equality due to their responsibilities in controlling the daily lives of the working gulag class proles. Surprisingly the Brookings rep. seemed.... reasonable?