Loading...
October 24, 2024 • 2hr 57min
#855 - Richard Reeves - Why Do Modern Men Feel So Left Behind?
Modern Wisdom
Richard Reeves is a writer, researcher and the founder of the American Institute for Boys & Men. In this episode, he discusses the challenges facing boys and men in modern society, potential solutions, and the difficulties in having these conversations. Key topics include mental health issues like suicide, economic struggles, changing social roles, and how to advocate for men's issues in a balanced way.
#855 - Richard Reeves - Why Do Modern Men Feel So Left Behind?
0:00
-0:00
Key Takeaways
- There is a growing crisis among boys and men in areas like education, mental health, and employment that needs more attention and solutions
- Advocating for men's issues is often seen as controversial or anti-women, but it's possible to support both men and women
- The suicide rate among young men under 30 has risen by a third since 2010, surpassing middle-aged men
- Many young men feel unneeded and disconnected from society, contributing to issues like drug abuse and suicide
- There are significant class divides, with working-class men facing more challenges in areas like employment, health, and family formation
- Solutions should focus on education/vocational training, destigmatizing traditionally female jobs for men, and creating more opportunities for men to feel needed and valued
Introduction
Richard Reeves is a writer, researcher and the founder of the American Institute for Boys & Men. In this episode, he discusses the challenges facing boys and men in modern society, potential solutions, and the difficulties in having these conversations. Key topics include mental health issues like suicide, economic struggles, changing social roles, and how to advocate for men's issues in a balanced way.
Topics Discussed
Challenges in Advocating for Men's Issues (0:00)
- Advocating for men's issues is often seen as controversial or aligned with conservative/reactionary views
- There's a tendency to be pulled towards more extreme positions when discussing men's issues
- Reeves tries to maintain a balanced, evidence-based approach focused on mainstream acceptance
- He believes caveating and contextualizing men's issues within broader gender equality is important
- "I'm not trying to make a living as a kind of polemic or a stand up comic...I'm the president of an institution whose job it is to mainstream these issues."
Mental Health and Suicide Among Men (59:51)
- The suicide rate among young men under 30 has risen by a third since 2010
- It now surpasses the rate among middle-aged men, which was previously the highest risk group
- Drug poisoning deaths have also increased dramatically among men
- Many young men feel unneeded and disconnected from society
- Reeves believes feeling needed and valued is crucial for preventing suicide
- "I think one of the best protectors against losing your life to suicide is a real clarity that the world needs you."
The Concept of "Neededness" (1:09:44)
- Feeling needed and having a clear social role is important for mental health and wellbeing
- Traditionally, men derived neededness from economic provider/protector roles
- As these roles have diminished, many men struggle to find new sources of meaning and purpose
- Women tend to have more diverse sources of meaning and "cognitive self-complexity"
- Creating more opportunities for men to feel needed in society could help address mental health issues
Class Divides and Working-Class Men (1:39:19)
- There are significant class divides in issues facing men
- Working-class men face more challenges in employment, health, and family formation
- Only about 50% of working-class men in their 30s-40s live with children, down from 80% in 1980
- Wages for men without college degrees have stagnated since the late 1970s
- Working-class men are more likely to be out of the labor force, often citing disability/illness
- Solutions should focus on vocational training, destigmatizing "female" jobs, and creating economic opportunities
Education and Gender Gaps (43:46)
- Boys and men are falling behind in education at all levels
- The gender gap in college enrollment is much larger for working-class and rural families
- Young women are now more geographically mobile than young men
- There's a need for more male teachers and coaches to serve as mentors/role models
- Reeves advocates for more vocational training and apprenticeship programs to help young men
Changing Social Roles and Masculinity (1:14:22)
- Traditional male roles centered on physical competence and economic provision have diminished
- There's confusion about what positive masculinity looks like in the modern world
- Men receive mixed messages about being both more and less masculine
- Reeves prefers the concept of "mature masculinity" over "toxic masculinity"
- He emphasizes the importance of helping boys develop into mature, responsible men
- "Learning how to conduct yourself with others, learning how to kind of regulate your own behavior appropriately just through social learning...that's the point, is that you grow up."
Mental Health Care for Men (2:16:58)
- Men are less likely to seek mental health care than women
- The mental health field has become female-dominated, potentially making it less welcoming for men
- Many mental health professionals feel unprepared to deal with male-specific issues
- There's a need for more male-friendly approaches to mental health care
- Reeves suggests training mental health professionals to be more comfortable with male issues
- Activities like sports coaching can serve as informal mental health support for boys/men
Political Implications (1:52:13)
- The 2024 US election may be significantly influenced by issues of masculinity and men's concerns
- Young men are becoming more politically disengaged rather than shifting right
- Neither major US party has effectively articulated a pro-male agenda
- Democrats have policies that could benefit working-class men but struggle to message this
- There's political opportunity in addressing men's issues in a non-partisan way
Balancing Empathy and Addressing Real Issues (2:09:27)
- There's often a "zero-sum view of empathy" where helping men is seen as taking away from women
- It's possible and necessary to care about issues facing both men and women
- Recognizing men's issues doesn't diminish the importance of women's issues
- Reeves emphasizes using hard data and evidence to make the case for helping men/boys
- The goal should be finding solutions that benefit everyone, not pitting groups against each other
Conclusion
Richard Reeves makes a compelling case for paying more attention to the struggles facing boys and men in modern society. While acknowledging the importance of women's issues and broader gender equality, he argues that men's challenges in areas like education, mental health, and employment need to be taken seriously. By using data-driven approaches and seeking non-partisan solutions, Reeves believes it's possible to help men without diminishing support for women. Ultimately, creating a society where both men and women can thrive and feel needed will benefit everyone.