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Of Boys and Men
Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It
Richard Reeves explores the growing gap in boys and men engaging in family, education and community. Using data and research, he explores changes in societal expectations, employment trajectories, family structure, education policy and much more that have led to this growing international problem. Being one of the few and first to dive into this complex issue, he offers suggestions for bringing awareness to the problem and early policy ideas to address the impacts that arise when a group is not engaged in the systems that serve them.
Check out The Ford Family Foundation’s report brief: Supporting Rural Students in Oregon: Male College Enrollment and Completion
Author: Richard Reeves
Year of Publishing: 2022
Number of Pages: 256
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Reviews
SChannell (verified owner) –
Our country is experiencing a crisis with boyhood and manhood. This book explains how to have a more positive perspective and focuses on solutions on how to create a more equal world.
Dana Goodale (verified owner) –
In my professional role I support youth and young adults through their academic career. This book was so helpful in providing some insight into different developmental stages, and how to work with and support young men to be their best selves.
mingomom (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed reading this book. From the author’s perspective, you learn an insight that you wouldn’t normally or typically think about from a day to day basis. This book offers viewpoints we don’t necessarily know about and explains the changes we are seeing with the hardships young men are facing, which I honestly had no idea about. Highly recommended.
jsweetland (verified owner) –
Very interesting read.
Alex Garcia (verified owner) –
This book gives an interesting perspective through the author. The book highlights the areas males are struggling and experiencing hardships in.
abear (verified owner) –
Very good read.
FFFbooks123 (verified owner) –
I think this book reads differently for men & women due to our respective perspectives. Outlining that, it is a very helpful book which details the struggles men face today. Reeves is farther to the left than I am, but it is encouraging to read someone from a different end of the political spectrum taking our current societal crisis seriously.
Jenny Nunn (verified owner) –
Ordered on audio book and listened to it the car. Definitely empowers me at my job and in my home with my son to see what boys and men face daily and how their gender affects their view on life and relationships.
Wrayyth (verified owner) –
It is very nice to struggle in the world witnessing challenges and have your concerns, fears, and frustrations validated. This book had me mentally connecting dots in my experiences and learning ways to support those in my life who are seeing these challenges and worse.
mevers (verified owner) –
As an educator, this book elevated my concern for young men in my classes. I am now more aware of specific needs and ways in which I can support and encourage them. Most importantly I want to advocate for them in the HEAL professions!
Ninamont (verified owner) –
Different topic, but he approach it in the correct way.
Lisa Olsen (verified owner) –
Interesting book about challenges for today’s men and boys that provides a perspective beyond the polarized political discussions of today. The suggestions include developmentally appropriate education and moving men into fields that utilize empathy.
Kiley Dozier (verified owner) –
This was a good insight in the hardships males are experiencing. There was a good perspective that I wouldn’t have normally looked at.
Salvador Garcia Lopez (verified owner) –
Truly a memorable book about the current situation that men are being raised in by our society and what steps we as a society can take towards changing the narrative for future generations.
ashleyjohnsonbend (verified owner) –
A must for anyone working with young children.
Nathan Shay (verified owner) –
This book provided a very balanced approach to addressing some of the most pertinent issues for boys and men. Highly recommended!
janelledewilde (verified owner) –
a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of masculinity and the impact of fatherhood on the lives of two generations. Through compelling storytelling and strong performances, the film navigates themes of family, identity, and the enduring influence of paternal relationships
mazamak (verified owner) –
Education
Men invented the education systems originally for boys. Then they underpaid the teachers and left the field open to women, so surprise! most of the teachers K-12 are women. My grandmother was a teacher and she had to quit when she got married. Her brothers were lawyers. For years the men in K-12 education rapidly became principals and administrators. One female friend who was a teacher during WWII had her salary reduced when the men came home.
So my thought is: men, if it is broken, it is up to you to fix it. To be fair, Reeves has some ideas. I am not sure “red-shirting” boys is the fix but it is worth a try. I was stunned when my kids’ middle school only required PE for one year and there was no recess! The schools need to offer more physical activities if they expect kids ages 11-13 to sit still and focus, especially boys.
Work
During the pandemic recession women’s unemployment fell more than men’s. “The difference was partly the result of more women taking time off from employment to care for children” Why? Can’t men care for children or maybe because most often a woman has a less lucrative job? I saw a chart about how women’s jobs recovered more quickly than men’s from the pandemic. But 85% of men (age 25-54) were employed before and after and only 75% of women in the same age group!
Some other topics that need to be considered about men and boys:
Native American Men and families have been severely battered by the U.S. They also need extra help
Social Security Disability—this has become “welfare” for white men particularly. Rehabilitation needs to be emphasized.
Guns and suicides—we need to get guns out of the hands of depressed, suicidal men. Suicide by gun is exceedingly effective. Those who care don’t get a chance to answer the cry for help.
14 % of men in U.S. are veterans—the damage war does to our people (90% of veterans) who serve to needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
Dianna Pimlott (verified owner) –
Excellent book. I shared this with my grandson.
Justin Chin (verified owner) –
Powerful read as we grow the next generation of Men in the US.
krista palmer (verified owner) –
This book helped me on my journey of raising my son, particularly with the outline of developmental stages.
Sarah Swanson (verified owner) –
This book was so eye opening! As a mother of daughters I was acutely aware of the disparities for them, but my perspective was enlightened concerning the plight of boys!
white24 (verified owner) –
Very interesting read. As someone who works with young children and families it brought a great perspective of what is going on for males in society.
Anne Bernard (verified owner) –
It complements feminism well. I appreciate his take on parenting.
sweety95838 (verified owner) –
a very interesting book
sweety95838 (verified owner) –
very good book
Mchugkd11 (verified owner) –
Very well researched and presented. A lot of interesting information about why boys and men are struggling, what has already been tried, and what could come next.
David Nestor (verified owner) –
I found this book very regressive and troubling in its simplicity and perspective on modern masculinity. I was truly hoping for some ideas about building a more inclusive, nuanced, and complex modern man. Instead, I felt that the book leans heavily on cherry picked facts that reinforce antiquated ideas and beliefs.
pargarita (verified owner) –
This is an incredible book! It has been really eye-opening to see written what I feel like I have encountered in real life. Differences in the way that the girls and women around me have excelled in school and work as compared to boys and men. Would highly recommend.
alyssakornbrath (verified owner) –
Looking forward to reading this both as a teacher and mother
muttmutt (verified owner) –
An important read.
delana88 (verified owner) –
Loved it – great insight into the struggles faced by males in our society today
Klimtcat (verified owner) –
Great book especially if you are raising a boy in this day and age.
kalika (verified owner) –
As both a teacher and mom of two boys, I appreciate this book. I have seen and wondered about the increasing gap between girls and boys. This is an insightful book. I would recommend it to anyone who works with people, but especially adolescent boys.
Rene Hendricks (verified owner) –
When we focus on any one special interest group, we may oversee our commonalities and wholistic needs. People are social animals and we learn from one another, we benefit from guiding each other to reach our collective goals of improving life. This book is relevant to those that raise males, care about males, or promote good character in males.
shayb (verified owner) –
Of Boys and Men discusses the challenges boys encounter in society, focusing on education and mental health. The book underscores the importance of positive role models and supportive environments for young mens’ development. It was a great read and will definitely recommend to others!
TTMC55 (verified owner) –
A very interesting book.
lscott5 (verified owner) –
I found this book incredibly interesting and the author does a great job being factual, presenting information from both sides of the political spectrum.
Elissa Zubrick (verified owner) –
This book helped me see a different perspective and connect more with the boys and men in my life and their personal experiences.
brookedjackson (verified owner) –
Really interesting book and informative. Learned a lot.
Andrea Shay (verified owner) –
I am so appreciative of Umpqua Community College bringing this author to Oregon – and the focus on this important issue.
tristahudson (verified owner) –
Easy to read and eye opening to the struggles of boys and men.
Acleith (verified owner) –
Informative. Good read.
waldo (verified owner) –
An interesting topic worthy of thoughtful consideration
Zoe Zamora (verified owner) –
This book gives good insight in the hardships males are experiencing! Nice read.
Susie Brubaker-Cole (verified owner) –
This book brought together so many questions and themes I’d been considering around the experiences and plight of men and boys. As someone who works with many people exploring futures and career paths, it has brought me important insights.
Mindy Martin (verified owner) –
good book
Brittani Rodriguez-Olmos (verified owner) –
Very good read
Shonna Edwards (verified owner) –
Of Boys and Men is a deeply insightful and timely exploration of the challenges facing boys and men in the modern world. This book unpacks the struggles many males experience in education, employment, and relationships, addressing systemic and cultural shifts that have left them increasingly vulnerable.
What sets this book apart is its balanced approach. Reeves avoids divisive rhetoric, offering compassionate yet clear-eyed solutions for creating a society that uplifts everyone—regardless of gender. Whether you’re a parent, educator, policymaker, or simply curious about the social dynamics shaping our future, this book provides a thoughtful framework for understanding and addressing the unique needs of boys and men today.
By reading Of Boys and Men, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on one of the most pressing issues of our time and be inspired to think critically about how we can build a more equitable and supportive society for all.
Sitka (verified owner) –
Yet another super interesting and thought-provoking read presented by SelectBooks! Wholeheartedly concur with other reviewers (Sarah Swanson and waldo). The author does a fantastic job at presenting the supporting statistics (extremely fascinating!) and introducing potential solution based approaches (sans Zero-Sum) all while keeping the reader engaged and continuing to mull over long after finishing the final page! A great read for the entire community!
Amanda Tirado (verified owner) –
This is a fantastic book for anyone who wants to understand how to better support boys as they develop into men.
T A (verified owner) –
Interesting read
Jamie Willard (verified owner) –
Very interesting read that left me with a more positive outlook than I expected
Linda Woodley (verified owner) –
An interesting read as we experience this crisis in our country. We need our men, our fathers and our leaders in every family.
Billy Grounds (verified owner) –
Excellent!!
terriks (verified owner) –
Interesting topic. a little bit of a dense read
egharrop (verified owner) –
Such an important topic, especially today! Well-written and informative!
Nicole Owens (verified owner) –
Enjoy this read.
Jessica Dawn (verified owner) –
Very interesting read, especially when raising two boys! Provides a new perspective, worth the read!
kelli.conraads (verified owner) –
Great read to open minds about challenges men face that often seem overlooked and how to help address these unique needs.
JGodden (verified owner) –
This was a good book to have future insite on my son, as well as give some insite on my husband and how he may change with parenting as our son gets older.
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