Failing Young Men — with Richard Reeves

Modern Male Struggles

Richard Reeves, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses the struggles faced by modern males in the U.S. He highlights how societal structures have inadvertently set boys up to fall behind, leading to challenges in adulthood. Reeves emphasizes the need to recognize and address these issues, advocating for a balanced approach that supports both men and women. He states, "You can be doing all this stuff for women and girls and keep doing that and doing stuff for boys and men, and the political opportunity in front of you is huge." 1 2.

   

Policy Solutions

Reeves explores the role of public policy in addressing men's issues, particularly in health and employment. He argues for the importance of vocational education and fatherhood reform, suggesting that these could provide pathways to the middle class. Reeves also calls for more investment in men's health, noting the disparity in healthcare access between men and women. He proposes, "How about an annual well man checkup, too? And how about more investment in some of those mental health programs as well, specifically tailored towards boys and men?" 3 4.

   

Evolving Masculinity

The discussion shifts to the evolving concept of masculinity in a changing societal context. Reeves shares personal insights on embracing masculinity while advocating for gender equality, stressing the importance of redefining what it means to be a man today. He reflects on the need to "reimagine and rescript masculinity for a world of gender equality," acknowledging that society has only just begun this cultural task. 5 4.