Why are so many boys and men feeling alone and in the cold?
Why are so many boys and men feeling alone and in the cold?
If Barbie has taught us anything, it's that women can do anything. But an increasing number of people are saying young men and boys are now crying out for role models on how to be the best version of themselves.
There is a kid in one of my gaming groups who mentioned off-hand earlier this year that he believes a lot of what Andrew Tate says is valid and that men should "reject modernity and embrace masculinity". I think took us all a little by surprise because he's a smart kid who doesn't come off as an obvious alpha male type at all. We had to figuratively sit him down and explain why Tate is full of shit and that his whole schtick is just preying on young men who lack guidance, as is the case with many of these MRA grifters. I don't know this kid personally so I can't say for sure if we had any effect on him, but I hope that we were able to demonstrate that all that bullshit is not actually relevant to manhood at all. I know he looks up to a few of us in particular, due to our high level of skill and experience with this particular game, so I hope the fact that those role models (of sorts) took the time to talk to him about this stuff actually had a positive influence on the way he views himself and others.
I think it's really helpful when the quieter men speak up and demonstrate that there is another way. The idiots are always the loudest by default, so young men and boys are naturally drawn to them due to the vacuum that exists in this area. As I get older I definitely feel like I have more of a responsibility to make sure younger people around me, particularly men and boys, are going down the right path or are at least aware that there are alternatives. In certain male-dominated spaces, like team sports or social media, I definitely see and hear a lot of problematic behaviour and messaging that just goes unchecked.
Hell yes, young men need this. Else they wouldn't fall for Tate and similar grifters.
I'll bet you guys made a big impact on the kid. You at least got him closer to a happier healthier life than he otherwise would have been.
If we did make an impact, the bulk of the credit would definitely go to some of the other guys who made more of an effort than I did. I find it difficult to speak up in those situations, since it can be very challenging if I don't feel like an authoritative figure to the person. Usually I just try to lead by example, which can be helpful too but isn't always what is needed. Sometimes you need someone to be brave and stand up without knowing if anyone else in the room will support them.
I feel like this might be an unpopular opinion, but it's just based on my own experience and interactions with young men. I think there's a kind of... 'hyper sexuality' that has inadvertently pushed platonic intimacy to the wayside, and I think platonic intimacy is an extremely important part of socialisation. I've met so many young men who have such an over-sexualised view of everything, that they're unable to have healthy platonic relationships, or even maintain 'platonic' components of romantic or familial relationships. Sexuality is a good thing, but I feel it is a similar problem to the prevalence of highly refined foods that can barely be considered food at all and the health impacts of that, I think there are likely mental/emotional/sexual health impacts of that 'hyper sexuality'. The fact alone that there are men who struggle to become aroused except with some very specific, often times grotesque material says a lot. That's of course at the far end of the spectrum, but I can only assume that there's be similar (albeit lesser) effects all the way along. It's like there's a whole fridge/pantry full of delicious healthy food, but young men have had a box of Fruit Loops shoved into their hands like it's actually enough to keep them going and help them thrive socially/emotionally/sexually.
If you don't mind sharing, what kind of experiences and interactions are you referring to? As someone in my early 30s I find it so hard to get a read on if/how younger people have changed from when I was their age. I have been in a long-term relationship since my early 20s so haven't interacted with anyone younger than me via dating, and all the relationships I've made with younger people from work/sport/gaming are too superficial to really pick up on any differences. I can't be sure at all whether there are actually new problems developing here or if it's just the same stuff from when I was a teenager but exacerbated (we were all obsessed with sex too). The internet has given rise to so many influencer sociopaths that can reach young people more easily than any other adult role model in their life.
I don't have first-hand experience since I'm 18, but I imagine it's just stuff like casual hugs or stuff like that. All physical intimacy is supposed to be for your partner now (at least in men), and as such hugging a friend would mean you're gay and banging him.
Run kids through 12 years of school. Teach them little that engages them or makes them feel valuable. Tell them for half of those years that their best hope to achieve happiness is to go to college so that they can earn enough to consume the good life and then retire. Then wonder why so many lack a sense if purpose and belonging.
Some kids are fortunate. They have a family that truly support them, helpinh them gain experience in life and some insight into finding their way. For those with families that aren't that way, finding your way can be much harder. A significant amount of kids have parents that are checked out. Sometimes it's because the parents are too busy working. Sometimes its for worse reasons.
12 years in a school system that is failing to teach boys, putting them out there on a worse educational standing and than shipping many of them off to go work in the mines or our houses.
Boys need support that society is failing them.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The prevalence of self-harm among young men is an outward sign that many are lost, failing to come to grips with what it means to step up and be a good man in a post #MeToo world.
English feminist journalist and broadcaster Caitlin Moran told the ABC recently she spent a long time shooting down such suggestions when they were put to her by the mothers of teenage sons.
"Never being able to cry or admit vulnerability; the bubbling anger; the shrugging acceptance of violence; the memory of hitting friends; the prize of recklessness; the need for alcohol or drugs; the total lack of advice, or guidance."
Moran says not knowing where to turn is still leaving far too many young men out in the cold and prime targets for every vocal toxic male on social media.
Brisbane introduction agency owner Linda Prescott agrees that many young men are lost when it comes to relating to the opposite sex.
Ms Prescott gives men and women clients a dating rule book, pointing out areas of clear difference in expectation and judgement.
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I hope everyone got to the point in the article where Top Blokes is mentioned because that’s a good news story.
Let's keep discussions civil and respectful