Richard Reeves on Boys and Men in Crisis

In a thought-provoking interview, Michael Krasny speaks with Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, about the mounting challenges facing boys and men in contemporary society. Reeves, drawing from his experience at the Brookings Institution, outlines how girls have significantly surpassed boys in educational achievement, from high school through college, attributing this partly to differences in executive functioning, developmental timelines, and brain maturation. He highlights a growing crisis among young men, marked by increasing rates of mental health issues, isolation, and a lack of purpose as traditional male roles evolve. The conversation explores how societal shifts in work expectations and the erosion of traditional provider roles have impacted young men's sense of identity and motivation. Reeves advocates for systemic changes to support both genders equally, while criticizing divisive terminology like "toxic masculinity" that he believes can alienate men and push them toward more extreme viewpoints. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges while maintaining a balanced approach that avoids pitting genders against each other.