海角大神

Richard Reeves isn鈥檛 the first one to take note of challenges facing boys and men in contemporary society. We鈥檝e heard about it in books and from professors, politicians, and pundits.

But as an inequality expert at the center-left Brookings Institution (and a father of three sons), Mr. Reeves is offering a data-driven and constructive lens on what can be a touchy topic. Does talking about boys risk sucking the wind out of efforts for women鈥檚 equality, for instance? In a new book, he urges a 鈥渂oth ... and鈥� approach, where seeking solutions won鈥檛 become a zero-sum, one-sex-wins endeavor.聽聽

People can think two thoughts at once, 鈥淥f Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.鈥澛�

Men are now as in college graduation rates as women were when Title IX was passed in 1972. Their median wages have been falling in real terms, while women鈥檚 have been rising. They account for about 3 in 4 鈥渄eaths of despair.鈥� Yet girls and women still face gender inequality for society to address on multiple fronts.聽

What should be done?聽

Mr. Reeves has specific proposals on things like vocational education and the need for more male teachers. Most broadly, he argues that young females have a compelling script about ambition and possibilities, while males struggle amid the decline of an old script about breadwinning.聽

鈥淎 new script for prosocial masculinity can celebrate some of the natural traits that occur more often in boys and men, such as physical courage and an appetite for risk,鈥� he says in an interview via email, pointing out men鈥檚 traditional roles as soldiers and explorers. 鈥淎 positive script for masculinity ought also to highlight the vital role of fathers as providers not only of material goods, but of care, teaching, and mentorship. It should validate the greater interest of boys and men, on average, in 鈥榯hings鈥� rather than 鈥榩eople,鈥� for example in technology or engineering.鈥�

Mr. Reeves says he hopes foremost to simply start a discussion.聽鈥淢ost of the disagreement has been over the best way to respond to these issues, rather than over whether they are real,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 progress.鈥�