In this episode of The Diary Of A CEO podcast, the discussion centers on the multifaceted challenges facing young men in modern society. Experts explore the high rates of educational struggles, mental health issues like depression and suicide, as well as unemployment and a general lack of purpose that disproportionately impact young men.
The conversation delves into societal pressures and misguided ideals of masculinity, the lack of positive male role models and father figures, and how technology like dating apps and pornography may contribute to alienation and disengagement. Potential solutions are also examined, including initiatives for male mentorship, emotional intelligence education, and policies aimed at bolstering economic viability and purpose for young men.
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Experts discuss the myriad issues plaguing young men in today's society, including struggles in education, mental health, and employment.
Scott Galloway highlights young men's higher likelihood of being suspended and falling behind in education compared to women. This trend contributes to more men aged 16-24 being neither in education nor employment.
Galloway and Bartlett examine the high rates of depression and suicide among young men, often stemming from feelings of worthlessness and lack of life meaning. Men's reluctance to express emotions compounds the issue.
Young men face unemployment rates nearly double those of young women. Galloway discusses the broader lack of purpose and life fulfillment that many unemployed young men experience.
Galloway critiques how society portrays ideals of masculinity, from the right's equation with coarseness to the left's push for feminine traits. He argues these fail to serve young men. Overall, society overlooks young men's needs while overemphasizing monetary success over character development.
The lack of positive male influences notably impacts young men's development and behavior.
Research links fatherlessness to increased risks like crime, substance abuse, and poor mental health among young men, according to Galloway and Bartlett. Up to 25% of boys lack a father figure.
With only about 24% of teachers being male, Ury and Galloway note the absence of male role models in schools and extracurriculars where boys spend significant time.
Galloway advocates providing young men access to male mentors who can advise on relationships and emotional growth. Programs for male peer support could foster emotional intelligence.
Experts raise concerns about technology intersecting with evolving social norms around dating and gender roles.
Galloway and Ury describe how online dating favors a subset of wealthy, attractive men while leaving average men struggling to find matches amid heightened female standards.
Some warn that rejected men may retreat into pornography and digital entertainment, further disengaging from pursuing real relationships and social participation.
Experts propose targeted efforts to support young men's emotional and practical development.
Initiatives like men's groups could provide community and emotional skills training where men often lag, while being more accessible than therapy.
Galloway recommends classes on interpersonal skills, handling rejection, and emotional awareness to better prepare young men for adulthood.
Potential policies discussed include vocational training, national service, and tools to understand finances - addressing pressures on male economic identity.
The overall emphasis is proactively supporting young men's growth through understanding and empathy, not detracting from women's progress.
1-Page Summary
Galloway and Bartlett delve into the myriad of issues plaguing young men in today’s society, including their struggles in education, mental health, and employment.
Scott Galloway addresses the inequality faced by young men in the education system, where boys are twice as likely to be suspended for the same infraction as girls. For black boys, the likelihood is five times higher. Galloway also notes the shift away from traditional subjects that offered a middle-class path, such as wood, auto, or metal shop, to subjects like computer science, which do not cater to boys not pursuing college degrees. As a result, the number of males aged 16 to 24 who are not in education and employment has shot up by 40%.
Galloway and Bartlett discuss the endemic of depression and suicide in young men. Galloway mentions men's reluctance to openly share feelings, which is further compounded by society's standards that equate emotional expression with weakness. With suicide being the leading cause of death for young men under 35, and feelings of being "worthless" and "useless" prevalent in suicide notes, the connection between self-worth and financial provision becomes apparent. Bartlett and listeners Liam and Jeffrey offer personal accounts of dealing with substance abuse, sleep issues, and suicidal thoughts, emphasizing the profound struggle for meaning and the difficulty of expressing emotional vulnerability without feeling emasculated.
The discussion also touches on the high unemployment rates among young men, almost twice that of young women. Bartlett talks about the broader issue of lack of purpose that young men face. Galloway discusses his experience coaching young men who are unemployed and living at home, emphasizing the societal pressure on men to be economically viable. He criticizes the pervasive belief that financial success is paramount, and suggests that economic factors and lack of targeted policy programs contribute significantly to young men's struggles.
Galloway offers a critique of how both political sides portray masculinity, with the right conflating it with coarseness and cruelty and the left possibly urging men to emulate more traditionally feminine traits. He doesn't see either as beneficial for young men and notes that the Democratic National Convention seemed to overlook the needs of this demographic. ...
The Challenges Facing Young Men in Modern Society
The absence of male role models and father figures significantly impacts the development and behavior of young men, contributing to various social and psychological struggles.
Research and anecdotal evidence underline the importance of positive male influences in the lives of boys.
Scott Galloway refers to Richard Reeves' research, highlighting the absence of a male role model as a significant factor in the struggles faced by boys. With statistics indicating that boys in single-parent homes are more prone to criminal activity, incarceration, and self-harm, the severity of the issue is stark. Steven Bartlett points to figures showing about 25% of boys live without a father figure and underscores the mental health consequences and increased propensity towards drug-related activities in fatherless homes. It's evident that the absence of a father can lead to depressive symptoms and an increased chance of depression in boys, with young men being 300% more likely to carry guns and deal drugs in such scenarios.
Logan Ury addresses another critical issue: the decline of male presence in the education system, where only about 24% of teachers are male. The lack of male teachers and role models in school settings, where children spend a significant amount of their time, has a profound impact on young boys.
Scott Galloway raises further concerns about the void created by this absence, particularly in after-school programs and coaching roles that are often filled by women due to lower compensation. Bartlett points out that with 72% of middle school teachers being female, boys at home and at school lack male role models. Galloway also mentions that for many boys, a prison guard might be the first male role model they encounter, highlighting the desperate need for more positive male figures in boys' lives.
The panel agrees on the vital role mal ...
Role of Male Role Models and Father Figures
Experts are raising concerns about the intersection of technology with social dynamics, particularly how online dating and digital entertainment are shaping young men's experiences of forming relationships.
Online dating has transformed the landscape of romantic interactions, with significant effects on young men's ability to find partners.
Experts like Scott Galloway and Logan Ury are noting a "dating crisis" where a gap is emerging between the kind of men that women seek and the kind of men that are actually available. Galloway points to a winner-take-most-if-not-all environment in digital dating platforms which benefits attractive, wealthy men and leaves others at a disadvantage.
Additionally, women's increased economic independence and higher standards have intensified hypergamy—seeking partners with more economic or social status—making it difficult for average men to compete. According to Galloway, Tinder statistics show that an average man needs to swipe right 200 times for just one coffee date, often resulting in ghosting.
Steven Bartlett and Logan Ury warn that as men face rejection in the dating world, they may turn towards pornography and other forms of digital entertainment as stress relief or because they feel society is rigged against them. Ury observes that such men often engage less with society at large, including em ...
The Impact of Technology and Changing Social Dynamics
In a conversation with various experts including Scott Galloway, Logan Ury, and Steven Bartlett, the importance of supporting the development of young men in society is emphasized. They touch on various solutions and programs that could be beneficial in addressing the issues young men face.
Experts suggest that targeted programs to help young men develop both emotionally and in terms of life skills could have a positive impact on society as a whole.
Men’s groups and peer support are proposed as potential solutions to bridge the emotional intelligence gap in young men. Logan Ury points out that men often lag behind women in terms of emotional skills, comparable to women in "graduate school" and men in "third grade." Groups like Man Talks offer men a supportive community to hold each other accountable and support personal growth. Therapy can be effective but may not be accessible to all, making men’s groups an alternative for emotional growth. There’s also a suggestion that humor in male gatherings should not overshadow the opportunity for deeper emotional engagement, and that in-person connection is vital for relationship development.
Galloway proposes an "adulting" high school course that would teach young men to express romantic interest respectfully and handle rejection appropriately. The necessity for men to have someone to express their emotions to is also emphasized, signaling the need for improved emotional intelligence skills to be included in curriculums. This aligns with the growing emphasis on emotional intelligence in relationships and dating.
Potential Solutions and Programs to Support Young Men
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