Boys and young men are facing instability. They are falling behind in school, being pushed out of the workforce, and becoming isolated within their families. This forms the backdrop for the gender and generational debates in Korea, often referred to as the so-called “young men in their 20s” phenomenon. However, this is not unique to Korea. A new book has recently drawn attention for addressing the American version of this phenomenon. That book is “Of Boys and Men” by Richard V. Reeves.
The author, who has gained international recognition for his research on social class and inequality of opportunity, analyzes the crisis facing young men in the United States and proposes several solutions in this book.
He first explains that as women’s rights have advanced, young men are experiencing difficulties in various areas, including academics, employment, mental health, social relationships, and family roles. Statistically, the suicide rate among men is much higher than among women, and feelings of social isolation are also increasing.
Reeves points out that this crisis is not just a problem for men, but one that society as a whole—including women—must recognize and address. The more men are marginalized socially and economically, the more vulnerable they become to political radicalization and extremism, which can further deepen social divisions.
As potential solutions, Reeves suggests delaying boys’ school entry by one year and providing additional preparatory education. He also recommends increasing male participation in female-dominated fields such as nursing, childcare, and elementary education, and dismantling patriarchal, traditional male stereotypes. Moving away from traditional masculinity centered on physical strength, authority, and competition, he argues that care, empathy, and emotional openness should also be considered essential male qualities.
Richard V. Reeves, a British-born sociologist, studied geography at the University of Oxford and is currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. As a U.S. citizen, he established his expertise on inequality with his 2017 book “Dream Hoarders,” which examined the class structure of American society.
Kim Dae-eun
