Your Thursday Three Things for October 2, 2025
Why So Many Boys and Men Are Falling Behind And What We Can Do About It
First, a disclaimer:
This is not a man vs. woman issue. Pointing out the struggles of men and boys does not diminish the very real challenges women face, nor is it about rolling back progress. This is about ensuring all people have the best possible chance to build meaningful, successful lives. When any portion of society struggles, we all pay the price.
The Problem We Can’t Ignore
For the first time since the Great Depression, large numbers of young men believe they won’t achieve the same standard of living their parents did. That belief is now showing up in very real ways:
Education gap: Women now earn nearly 60% of college degrees. Boys are more likely to fall behind in school and less likely to finish higher education.
Workforce mismatch: Jobs that require communication, collaboration, and empathy… the so-called “power skills”… are growing fastest. But research shows men lag women by 25–35% in these very skills.
Stigma around trades: Despite being lucrative and automation-resistant, the trades are still treated as “lesser” career paths. Too many men are stuck between a college system that fails them and a trades path stigmatized as “for dummies.”
Identity crisis: Many men tie self-worth to work and providing. When they struggle to find footing in the workforce, it ripples into mental health, relationships, and even declining life expectancy.
This isn’t new. The downward slide began in the late 1970s. But today, the data is clear: we’re at a tipping point.
Three Shifts That Could Turn Things Around
Harvard’s Joseph Fuller, our guest on Men Talking Mindfulness, highlights three urgent priorities:
Experiential Learning & Apprenticeships
Paid internships, vocational programs, and earn-while-you-learn models provide both skill and identity. We can’t keep telling every teen “college or bust” when fewer than half will graduate and of those who do, many don’t find work AND they carry large student debt!Teach Power Skills Early
Public speaking, teamwork, and conflict resolution should be part of K–12 education. These are not “soft skills” they are survival skills in today’s workplace.Mentorship & Male Role Models
Boys thrive when coached, challenged, and guided by mentors. Without these role models… whether in schools, sports, or communities… many drift into disconnection and despair.
We got deep into this conversation with Professor Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School.
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If you’re a paid subscriber, keep reading for a deeper dive: actionable tools, robust resources, and frameworks you can use to support the men and boys in your life.
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