The Lost Boys

"Young men are suffering. They are feeling isolated. They are grappling with their masculinity and their broader place in society."

I was inspired recently from watching a talk by former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate, in which he discussed the challenges facing young men in society today.

Men have been getting a bad wrap recently. There has been a lot of talk about "toxic masculinity". We had the "Me too" movement that rightly highlighted the plight of women at the hands of men.

And there has been something of a backlash. The rise of toxic influencers on social media platform, the rise to power of the likes of Donal Trump and Elon Musk.

My fear is that, in the absence of positive mentors, and spaces for men to talk about real life issues, young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions, and learn to "act in" or "act out" their emotions.

The Lost Boys report highlights some of the challenges facing young men today. The proportion of young men failing to move from education into employment or training has been steadily growing for thirty years. Young men are now out earned by their female peers. With an epidemic of family breakdown, millions of boys are deprived of any positive model of manhood.

One of the most impactful things we can do for women is to focus on improving young men.

To all of the lost boys out there. Carrying your invisible struggles like a ball and chain. You are not alone. You are loved. You will find your way home.

It's gonna be ok. I see you, I hear you. I feel you. I love you.