Recent reports highlight a concerning trend: young men in America are falling behind. Major publications have presented a flood of data, noting everything from declining academic performance to a rise in misogyny and anger among boys. This isn't an entirely new issue. As far back as 2011, education reporter Richard Whitmire explored this phenomenon in his book, "Why Boys Fail."

Whitmire's analysis in "Why Boys Fail" primarily focused on the educational system. He traced the roots of the problem to well-intentioned education reforms, specifically the 1989 education summit in Charlottesville, Virginia. There, President George H.W. Bush and 49 governors devised a national strategy to elevate educational achievement across the board. A key objective was to enhance early literacy skills, aiming to prepare all students for higher education. While this was a commendable goal, a crucial detail was overlooked: girls generally exhibit readiness for early literacy challenges sooner than boys.

Anecdotal evidence often supports this point: many mothers of both sons and daughters will confirm which of their children became an early reader. As schools began to introduce reading skills at earlier ages, effectively pushing the curriculum down by roughly two grades, boys often struggled. Observing their female peers, who frequently thrived in early reading environments, many boys seemingly concluded that school was primarily for girls. This led to a significant disengagement from the academic setting, with many boys finding refuge in activities like video games.

The lack of action on this issue is perplexing. School principals are often overwhelmed by numerous challenges, and the specific struggles of boys may not be their top priority. Furthermore, the teaching profession is predominantly female, and some educators may have limited interest in addressing this particular problem. They might view boys more as disciplinary challenges and find it easier to focus on girls, who are often perceived as more compliant and eager to learn.

Another significant factor contributing to this dilemma, particularly for Black males, is the prevalence of fatherless households. More than 70 percent of Black children are raised in families without a father present. While strong mothers often inspire girls to pursue academic success, boys appear to require additional support, perhaps even more. This issue touches on deep-seated societal problems that have long resisted resolution, including those related to race and economic inequality.

Additionally, boys grapple with confusing social cues that profoundly impact their self-perception. They face a conflicting array of masculine ideals: should they embody the stereotypical muscle-bound hero, or the emotionally sensitive confidant? This identity confusion can severely derail their development.

Compounding these issues, there has been little progress—and perhaps even regression—in addressing these concerns. It's unrealistic to expect political figures who dismiss higher education, celebrate aggressive sports, and boast about avoiding traditional caregiving roles to encourage boys to moderate their expressions of masculinity.

So, as these problems persist and worsen, what can be done?

About 15 years ago, when concerns arose about girls falling behind in math and science, schools successfully engineered a turnaround. Today, there's ample test-based evidence demonstrating this positive shift in math and science achievement among girls.

Given the numerous alarms currently sounding about the challenges faced by boys, the logical question is: why not implement similar, effective strategies for boys, mirroring the successful interventions previously applied for girls?

Picture: School Discrimination (Gemini)

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