Of Boys and Men

Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It

By: Richard V. Reeves

Narrated by: Richard V. Reeves

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A positive vision for masculinity in a postfeminist world

Boys and men are struggling. Profound economic and social changes of recent decades have many losing ground in the classroom, the workplace, and in the family. While the lives of women have changed, the lives of many men have remained the same or even worsened.

Our attitudes, our institutions, and our laws have failed to keep up. Conservative and progressive politicians, mired in their own ideological warfare, fail to provide thoughtful solutions.

The father of three sons, a journalist, and a Brookings Institution scholar, Richard V. Reeves has spent twenty-five years worrying about boys both at home and work. His new book, Of Boys and Men, tackles the complex and urgent crisis of boyhood and manhood.

Reeves looks at the structural challenges that face boys and men and offers fresh and innovative solutions that turn the page on the corrosive narrative that plagues this issue. Of Boys and Men argues that helping the other half of society does not mean giving up on the ideal of gender equality.

©2022 the Brookings Institution (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Informative

I liked the first two thirds of the book in which the author described the problems … not so much his solutions

Big problem no one is addressing

It is a big problem that no one is addressing. This book should be required reading for our humanities and for teachers. This problem with boys is not unexpected. Many have been warning about this for decades, and here we are. Time to wake up.

Interesting and Informative

Well presented arguments for boys and men issues - I get it - I will use this information and spread the word.

Surprising insightful

I was skeptical of this book - but was converted even handed analysis of the challenges that impact boys in the rich world.

Enlightening and balanced

This book walks the line between the left and the right politically, and articulately describes the problem facing boys and men in the education sphere, and proposed cogent solutions

Great book

It’s a very honest and very frustrating topic. There’s a lot of facts. So we’re not including the book but I’ll probably just came out after the book was published.

A Black Man Must Read

I expected to read this learning more about the battles that men face. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to hear the focus on the barriers and obstacles that Black men in America face. Black men as learners and earners face struggles unique to other men in this country. So many data points. So many relevant and current examples.
The microscope turned on the progressive side was brave but words that needed to be spoken and heard. Both wings are leaving men and boys in the middle. Educators, Elected officials, professionals and parents should give this a listen.

Stats and facts based

I learned about the socio-economic factors that affect men, full of stats, facts and references.
I am a “bleeding heart liberal” according to my Dad, and this book helped to put into context some of the conservative arguments he had made in the past.
Highly recommend for anyone who knows a man tbh

A must read

Whether you have boys, girls, or no children at all, as a member of current society you owe it to yourself to read this data driven book. Reeves cuts through the bullshit politics on both sides of the spectrum and opens our eyes to what is happening to modern boys and men, why it happens, and how we can make things better. 10 bajillion / 10

Anyone concerned about social policy should read

Reeves cites many studies and some of his own work to make a very compelling case that there are increasing very serious problems in several areas for boys and men. These are problems not just for the boys and men affected, but for society as well. Reeves goes out of his way to explain why people across the political spectrum should pay attention to these trends. I think he’s right to counter the concerns that some feminists and conservatives may have about this focus and to make the case that addressing these concerns will benefit everyone, not just boys and men. I don’t agree with all that he says, but most of it is very solid. If you are skeptical about men and boys doing more poorly than girls and women in recent years, you should definitely read this book.