America’s boys are not alright. We’re living in the middle of a full-blown boy crisis, and it’s not getting the attention it deserves. Let’s hit the grim stats: boys make up 60% of school suspensions and nearly 80% of all ADHD diagnoses (are they really hyper, or is school just not built for them?). The education gender gap is glaring—out of every 100 women earning a college degree, only 74 men cross the same stage. By eighth grade, 25% of boys score below basic reading proficiency, compared to just 17% of girls. Reading isn’t just fundamental; it’s a red flag waving loud and clear.
And then there’s the mental health crisis. Boys have a suicide rate three times higher than girls, and almost 20% report feeling persistently sad and hopeless. Economically, things are equally bleak. Workforce participation among young men aged 18-24 has plummeted to 72%, and 16% of these guys are what’s politely called “disconnected”—neither in school nor working, just floating in a void. Oh, and here’s a kicker: life expectancy for men in the U.S. is actually decreasing, largely thanks to overdoses, suicides, and diseases of despair. It’s giving “lost boys” energy, but this isn’t Neverland; it’s reality.
So, what’s going on here? Is it the system, the culture, TikTok, or something deeper? Today, I’m thrilled to chat with Ruth Whippman, author of Boy Mom, to get to the root of this crisis. Are boys really doomed, or is there hope?
SUMMARY:
00:00Introduction and Personal Reflections on Masculinity
05:57Cultural Narratives and the Crisis of Masculinity
10:11The Importance of Emotional Representation in Media
33:56Understanding the Complexities of Masculinity
41:32The Influence of Social Media on Masculinity
47:34Cultural Shifts and Future Generations
49:53New Chapter
PS: the podcast in Spanish mentioned is “Los Hombres Si Lloran”
P.S. You don’t have to watch to enjoy this—just hit play and listen like a podcast! Perfect for your commute, workout, or while pretending to be productive.
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Besos,
Victoria
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