The Decline of American Men: What Happened?

In recent decades, America’s men have undergone a massive decline. And the effects can be seen everywhere from education to employment to addiction.

The top 10% of students are 2/3 female while the bottom 10% is 2/3 male. Even before COVID, there were 9 million men between the ages of 25-54 who weren’t in the labor force. And nearly 75% of “deaths of despair” happen amongst men.

So, why are men falling behind? Researchers have some ideas.

In education, part of the problem may be that girls’ brains mature faster than boys. Research suggests that if girls and boys start school at the same age, the girls will be better intellectually prepared — which leads to learning gaps that only increase over time.

In the job market, men are overrepresented in fields like production, transportation, and construction — fields where jobs are more likely to disappear thanks to automation.

What makes matters even worse: There’s a long track record of educational and social welfare programs that are successful for women, yet have virtually no effect on men.

So, is there anything we can do?

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[spencermarkham]

Fatherlessness is also huge factor. More and more men growing up without fathers and without male role models young men obviously will decline! The importance of fathers is paramount!

[r.durante]

I had my boys start a year late in school. It made all the difference. They were each the top student in the class and leaders among their peers. Today, they are independent, confident leaders and mentors in their chosen fields.

[ravenclaw]

I've lived in the USA for years as a European and I must say, American men, as a collective, are somewhat stagnant in their maturity level. There is something not quite right about many American men. It's as if they are stuck between this adolescence and adult phase. I never in my entire life ever met men from anywhere in the world as insecure as Americans. I suspect it has a lot to do with the media and entertainment industry that glorify primitive ideas of masculinity that are unrealistic in 21st century society. I think a lot of men feel inadequate or frustrated. It's important for a man to love himself and others. Thats the most brave and masculine thing you can do.

[todrichards]

Excellent vid!

Though I disagree with the assertion that it isn’t a zero sum game. Sure, in some respects it’s not a zero sum game—like education. A woman getting a bachelor’s degree doesn’t prevent a man from getting a bachelor’s degree. But when it comes to employment, there’s only so many slots available. There’s single boss or supervisor slots that if occupied by a woman, can’t be occupied by a man. There’s a limited number of engineers employed, say, at any given time. If 35% of the positions are filled with women, then those positions aren’t available for men. And if engineering firms are preferentially hiring women (which they are), then for any given job opening, mens chances are reduced. Now, if it were the case that women were simply, on average, better engineers, then so be it—that’s the market working the way it should. But that’s not the case. Women aren’t better engineers. The market is tilted in favor of women due to the societal pressure that’s being placed in the STEM field. And I certainly don’t want to go in the HEAL direction. Those jobs don’t pay as well.

[cybtb]

Because to elevate women society actively pulls men down. Didn't have to be this way. Also missed is historically both men and women used to have to work. It was only a relatively brief period of modern history where women stayed home, and that started as a privilege.

[rafaelecattonar]

I'm Brazilian and I live in Italy. What I see here is that women have guarantees.
Women have their own female friends, their boyfriend and their family that support them on an emotional and psychological level. Women can easily study, find seasonal jobs and choose when they will have a boyfriend. They can say I will study first than I will have a boyfriend or they can say I will have a boyfriend and I will study at the same time or they can say I will study, think about my career become what I want than I will have a boyfriend. Men don't have these guarantees. You can speak more than two languages, have a degree but still don't have a girlfriend or be sure that you will have a good job or a girlfriend that will support you during your hard times. With these premises it's normal that we are unsatisfied. I do meditation to deal with this peoblem, but that's good for me. It doesn't mean that it's good for others.

[brucekellogg]

My sense is that the collective mindset of male dominance is literally wearing out. There is a new way of being that is under development within male pysche that will replace it. It is in gestation and unknown as of yet. It will be based on ancient archetypes and yet completely new. It will be beautiful!

[MaskedMageYT]

hopefully woman can keep the fundamentals of society running without collapse, saying the growth of woman hasnt come at the expense of men is the biggest lie in this video.

[lukeyznaga]

No, some of the women's success DOES COME AT the expense of men. Not all, but a damn good 40%. I know this because there ARE TONS OF OTHER VIDEOS about this made by social scientists and honest philosophers and historians who talk about this, "kite and Key".

[opheliapoppy]

Subbed because of this video & was recommended another off twitter. Excellent analysis of the situation!

[t.j.payeur]

It's because much fewer men have families and wives that compel them to constantly do more and more..and many more men are raised in fatherless homes.

[Lifedeathmusic]

The fact that this video has 475k views and only 286 likes may be telling us something. Men are not viewed by women or other men as a group that society has a desire to support. It’s probably biological.
But men have always needed strong leadership. Jesus had a large men’s ministry where He was actively and daily pouring into men’s lives. Walking with men and teaching them how to live.

[LarryCuckman]

If I’m not going to have a wife and kids why work?

[Kay.in.FL.HI.SA.JP.OZ.NZ.RIO..]

Good program, however I cannot believe you didn't mention the lack of early tracking into skills training for skilled trades and/or trade schools! Obviously, most men are not geared or interested in academics or administrate type careers; and most are not naturally geared to work with kids, healthcare, etc. Most men are builders and fixers of various sorts, thus need more hands-on options; the earlier the better!

[MostlyContented]

Personally, I think the videos showing young men doing stupid things kind of undercuts the message of the video.

[robbcervss]

Because men good family men were forced to take care of a rich man’s family over their own

[giant]

If Reeves' suggestions are the best we've got then we've got nothing.

[tyquin]

Lmao “the steps we can take to help men don’t have to come at the expense of women”. Wish that logic was applied with “helping” minorities and women.

[GP-nrfm]

Can we define what a woman is before we continue?