Of Boys and Men Summary

What happens when society unintentionally constructs an education, economic, and family system that systematically leaves boys behind?

1. Boys Are Lagging in Education Compared to Girls

Over the past few decades, girls and women have overtaken boys and men in educational attainment—a stark reversal of historical trends. In advanced economies, efforts to close the education gap benefiting boys succeeded, but they also propelled girls ahead. Today, girls outperform boys in many areas, including English and mathematics, and dominate the top tier of academic performers. Boys, meanwhile, form the majority at the bottom of the academic ladder.

The maturation of the prefrontal cortex—a critical area for planning and impulse control—occurs earlier in girls than boys. This biological difference means that an education system that rewards planning and task completion tends to favor girls. When societal barriers to women's education were dismantled, it became clear that boys' developing brains were naturally misaligned with standard school requirements.

The consequences are visible everywhere. In the United States, two-thirds of lower academic performers are boys, contrasted with two-thirds of the top performers who are girls. Similarly, women now surpass men in both college enrollment and degree completion. Though these gains are positive for women, they reflect a larger systemic imbalance that disproportionately harms males.

Examples

• Girls in the U.S. lead boys in academic performance in English by almost one grade level.
• Women now account for a majority of college students in the United States.
• Boys are two-thirds of students at the bottom of academic achievement rankings.

2. Delayed School Start Could Help Boys

Recognizing boys' developmental lag, one proposed solution is to start them in school one year later than girls. This idea, known as "redshirting," could better align boys' schooling with brain developmental milestones. Evidence suggests that older students within a grade often fare better both academically and socially.

Currently, redshirting reaches mostly children from affluent families who are aware of its advantages. However, boys who most need this intervention, such as those from low-income or minority backgrounds, are rarely given this opportunity. Boys born in summer months are at a particular disadvantage since they tend to be the youngest within their grade.

Studies have shown that older children—especially boys—experience improved academic performance, reduced hyperactivity, and greater life satisfaction. These benefits also extend to peers in mixed-age classrooms, improving overall educational outcomes. Broadly adopting redshirting for boys could substantially reduce disparities in education by providing them a stronger start.

Examples

• Boys who are redshirted perform better academically through grade 8, with continued benefits in high school.
• Older students in classrooms often positively influence their younger peers.
• Redshirting reduces the rate of grade retention, which disproportionately affects Black boys and those from lower-income families.

3. Men Are Struggling in the Workforce

Economic shifts over recent decades have left many men behind. Wages for most men in the U.S. have stagnated since 1979, and a notable number of men of working age—about nine million—are no longer participating in the labor force. Meanwhile, stable manufacturing and industrial jobs, traditionally occupied by men, have declined, and emerging careers in health and education remain heavily female-dominated.

Men now often find themselves demoted to low-status jobs or out of work entirely. This drop in occupational stature has coincided with declining skill acquisition among men, who are less equipped for a labor market requiring advanced skills and credentials. The absence of accessible vocational training channels compounds the issue, leaving men distanced from economic stability.

The gender divide is particularly troubling in health, education, administration, and literacy (HEAL) fields. While immense efforts are underway to bring more women into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the same energy is not applied to increasing male participation in HEAL professions, sectors that are projected to grow faster than STEM fields over the coming decades.

Examples

• By 2030, health and education sectors are expected to create three times more jobs than STEM fields.
• Nine million men of prime working age are currently out of work in the U.S.
• Just 5% of professional psychologists and psychiatrists under age 30 are male.

4. The Evolving Role of Fathers and the "Dad Deficit"

Family dynamics have shifted dramatically. Many fathers today do not live with their children, and one-third of children stop seeing their fathers entirely a few years post-separation. On top of that, 40% of children are now born outside of marriage, which is most common among less-educated parents.

While women's economic independence has grown—two-fifths of households now have female primary earners—many men feel disoriented by the declining importance of traditional breadwinner roles. This disengagement from family life harms boys the most, as the absence of strong paternal figures negatively affects their emotional and educational outcomes, creating a generational disadvantage.

To address this, fathers need a broader role that goes beyond financial responsibility. Society and legal systems must reinforce a model of fatherhood grounded in emotional involvement, shared parenting responsibilities, and active participation in their children's lives, regardless of marital status.

Examples

• One in four fathers in the U.S. does not live with his children.
• Boys without father figures face higher dropout and unemployment rates.
• Female breadwinners are now responsible for 40% of American households' primary income.

5. "Deaths of Despair" Highlight a Masculinity Crisis

Men die from suicides, overdoses, and alcohol-related causes—termed "deaths of despair"—at rates far exceeding women. Such deaths stem from a profound crisis in masculinity. Men feel devalued in their traditional family and work roles, which deepens feelings of purposelessness and isolation.

Research highlights that men who commit suicide frequently describe themselves as "worthless" or "useless." This phenomenon is not limited to personal struggles but reflects a broader societal failure to adapt male roles to modern realities. Without a sense of resilience or belonging, men are left vulnerable to mental health crises and substance abuse.

The opioid crisis amplifies this issue. It disproportionately affects men, many of whom turn to opioids as a way to cope with economic disconnection and family estrangement. To address these alarming trends, a societal shift is needed to reconnect men with meaningful roles and provide the mental health resources they often lack.

Examples

• Men experience suicide rates three times higher than women.
• Lower economic status correlates directly with increased opioid use among men.
• Sociologist Fiona Chan's study found "worthless" and "useless" as common descriptors in the last words of men who committed suicide.

6. Revitalized Vocational Education is Key for Boys

Although college degrees dominate the U.S. education system's focus, not everyone thrives in academic environments. Boys—who often prefer hands-on, practical learning—are particularly disadvantaged. Revamping vocational training could offer alternative success paths to those who struggle with traditional academics.

Vocational education and apprenticeships give students practical skills directly aligned with job market demands. In Germany, for instance, these tracks are widely respected and help bridge gender and skill gaps. Unfortunately, there's a stigma in the U.S. about choosing vocational paths, which men often internalize.

Revitalizing these programs would benefit not only young boys by giving them practical careers but also the economy as a whole by filling skilled labor shortages. By providing tailored opportunities, vocational education could reduce the downward spiral many boys face.

Examples

• Germany's dual education system is widely credited for low youth unemployment rates.
• Boys are more likely to thrive in hands-on learning environments like carpentry or mechanics.
• Skilled labor shortages in the U.S. remain high, pointing to a need for properly trained workers.

Takeaways

1. Start boys in school one year later to better match their developmental readiness with academic demands.
2. Offer vocational training as an equal, respected path to success to provide alternatives for non-academic learners.
3. Redefine fatherhood to emphasize emotional presence and shared responsibilities, supporting boys' development.