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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm tired of how progressives treat boys like mine
A teacher called me a few years ago about my youngest son, who was still in elementary school. She wanted to tell me about an incident in her class. I braced for a bad report. But then she said my son had raised his hand, said something funny and made the class laugh. She scolded him, to no avail. "Is that it?" I said, a bit flummoxed. I encouraged her to maintain order in the classroom as necessary, but also suggested she appreciate his humor and energy, especially as a coping skill. Before this incident, the teacher had insinuated that she thought my son had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and needed medication because he was so active and spirited. I declined. As a mom of two boys, including one who is now 18, I'm tired of seeing teachers, school administrators and society in general treat boys with disdain and even as symbols of toxicity. I've observed all kinds of people struggle with the energy, busyness and spirit of my boys. The war on boys − and men − has gone on for years. And it has discouraged and exhausted them. Now, many young men are moving to the right, politically and culturally. That's because, at least in part, conservatives accept young men for who they are. I thought of my son's school incident again when I saw a clip recently resurface on social media from Chris Williamson's popular "Modern Wisdom" podcast, Williamson asked guest Eric Weinstein, an investor and financial executive, if he had seen the data on teenage boys becoming more politically conservative. Weinstein's reply resonated closely with my own experiences as a mom. "I had a teenage boy. I still have one," Weinstein said. "He's 18 now. And I watched them be pushed farther and farther right by their schools." Weinstein then described the progressive narrative that's targeted loudly and clearly at young men and boys: "'You suck. All of your instincts are bad. These girls are amazing. Look at you. You're pathetic. Be less masculine.'" Weinstein continued: "You're just barking at them constantly. They're not moving right. They're moving out of your stupid way. You've given them, what? Nothing." Weinstein is right that men have shifted rightward politically. In the 2024 election, 56% of men ages 18 to 29 voted for Donald Trump for president. In 2020, Joe Biden won 56% of the votes cast by young men. Opinion: Netflix series 'Adolescence' left me sad and mad as a mother of boys As a mom and a columnist, I agree with Weinstein that men have become more conservative because of a progressive culture that often presents itself as anti-traditional male. Men, and working-class men especially, are often portrayed as stupid, selfish, violent, abusive and bigoted in entertainment, on social media and even in mainstream news media. The message sent and received by millions of hardworking husbands and fathers − and their sons − is that there's something inherently wrong with them because they are males. In the 2024 election, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris did little to appeal to male voters. She surrounded herself with female icons like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey, ran on a platform of women's "reproductive rights" and chatted on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, a platform by a woman for women. But she turned down an invitation to appear on Joe Rogan's popular podcast, which has an enormous audience of young men. In contrast, Trump and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance spent hours talking to Rogan in the final days of the hectic campaign season. Opinion: Trump's first 100 days have blown my mind. He's delivering on his promises. Progressives' record of either ignoring young men, stereotyping them as a toxic threat or turning them into weak and infantile caricatures isn't new. In 2013, a progressive outfit called Organizing for America gave us Pajama Boy, a onesie-wearing young man who regaled his family at the holidays on the wonders of Obamacare. As writer Rich Lowry noted, "Never has the difference between what Chris Matthews memorably dubbed the Mommy party and the Daddy party been so stark. Pajama Boy's mom probably still tucks him in at night, and when she isn't there for him, Obamacare will be." Millions of men saw the left's portrayal of the ideal male and said, "That's not me. And I don't want that to be me." Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. The right has its flaws. Trump is no paradigm of male virtue. He has repeatedly mistreated women in his personal life. He also has nominated and hired sharp, talented women like White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. But in Trump, men see the leader of a political and cultural movement that doesn't hate them for being male. I'm sick of how progressives view my boys. Millions of men who voted for Trump apparently feel the same way. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Left trashes men endlessly. It's no wonder they chose Trump | Opinion
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
I'm tired of how progressives treat boys like mine
I'm tired of how progressives treat boys like mine | Opinion I'm tired of seeing teachers, school administrators and society in general treat boys with disdain and even as symbols of toxicity. Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump appears on Joe Rogan's podcast With the election days away, Donald Trump was in Texas for a sit-down interview on the podcast 'The Joe Rogan Experience' with Joe Rogan. A teacher called me a few years ago about my youngest son, who was still in elementary school. She wanted to tell me about an incident in her class. I braced for a bad report. But then she said my son had raised his hand, said something funny and made the class laugh. She scolded him, to no avail. "Is that it?" I said, a bit flummoxed. I encouraged her to maintain order in the classroom as necessary, but also suggested she appreciate his humor and energy, especially as a coping skill. Before this incident, the teacher had insinuated that she thought my son had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and needed medication because he was so active and spirited. I declined. As a mom of two boys, including one who is now 18, I'm tired of seeing teachers, school administrators and society in general treat boys with disdain and even as symbols of toxicity. I've observed all kinds of people struggle with the energy, busyness and spirit of my boys. The war on boys − and men − has gone on for years. And it has discouraged and exhausted them. Now, many young men are moving to the right, politically and culturally. That's because, at least in part, conservatives accept young men for who they are. Young men are becoming more conservative I thought of my son's school incident again when I saw a clip recently resurface on social media from Chris Williamson's popular "Modern Wisdom" podcast, Williamson asked guest Eric Weinstein, an investor and financial executive, if he had seen the data on teenage boys becoming more politically conservative. Weinstein's reply resonated closely with my own experiences as a mom. "I had a teenage boy. I still have one," Weinstein said. "He's 18 now. And I watched them be pushed farther and farther right by their schools." Weinstein then described the progressive narrative that's targeted loudly and clearly at young men and boys: "'You suck. All of your instincts are bad. These girls are amazing. Look at you. You're pathetic. Be less masculine.'" Weinstein continued: "You're just barking at them constantly. They're not moving right. They're moving out of your stupid way. You've given them, what? Nothing." Weinstein is right that men have shifted rightward politically. In the 2024 election, 56% of men ages 18 to 29 voted for Donald Trump for president. In 2020, Joe Biden won 56% of the votes cast by young men. Opinion: Netflix series 'Adolescence' left me sad and mad as a mother of boys As a mom and a columnist, I agree with Weinstein that men have become more conservative because of a progressive culture that often presents itself as anti-traditional male. Men, and working-class men especially, are often portrayed as stupid, selfish, violent, abusive and bigoted in entertainment, on social media and even in mainstream news media. The message sent and received by millions of hardworking husbands and fathers − and their sons − is that there's something inherently wrong with them because they are males. Trump speaks to young men with respect In the 2024 election, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris did little to appeal to male voters. She surrounded herself with female icons like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey, ran on a platform of women's "reproductive rights" and chatted on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, a platform by a woman for women. But she turned down an invitation to appear on Joe Rogan's popular podcast, which has an enormous audience of young men. In contrast, Trump and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance spent hours talking to Rogan in the final days of the hectic campaign season. Opinion: Trump's first 100 days have blown my mind. He's delivering on his promises. Progressives' record of either ignoring young men, stereotyping them as a toxic threat or turning them into weak and infantile caricatures isn't new. In 2013, a progressive outfit called Organizing for America gave us Pajama Boy, a onesie-wearing young man who regaled his family at the holidays on the wonders of Obamacare. As writer Rich Lowry noted, "Never has the difference between what Chris Matthews memorably dubbed the Mommy party and the Daddy party been so stark. Pajama Boy's mom probably still tucks him in at night, and when she isn't there for him, Obamacare will be." Millions of men saw the left's portrayal of the ideal male and said, "That's not me. And I don't want that to be me." The right has its flaws. Trump is no paradigm of male virtue. He has repeatedly mistreated women in his personal life. He also has nominated and hired sharp, talented women like White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. But in Trump, men see the leader of a political and cultural movement that doesn't hate them for being male. I'm sick of how progressives view my boys. Millions of men who voted for Trump apparently feel the same way. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 reasons for Gen Zers with money problems to be hopeful, according to Dave Ramsey
Inflation, higher interest rates, layoffs, and other challenges have hit Gen Z's finances. Dave Ramsey gave five reasons for young people to feel hopeful on the "Modern Wisdom" podcast. The radio personality pointed to economic change, earnings growth, and wealth compounding over time. Gen Zers have had their finances walloped by a pandemic, historic inflation, soaring interest rates, and widespread layoffs in recent years — and could face more pain if President Donald Trump's trade war drives up prices and drags the economy into recession. Yet most young people will be fine in the long run if they work hard and manage their money wisely, Dave Ramsey told the "Modern Wisdom" podcast in an episode released on Thursday. The host of "The Ramsey Show" said America's youth should feel optimistic about their financial futures for these five reasons: Ramsay said that if someone had taken a snapshot of him when he filed for bankruptcy at age 28 with two kids, his financial situation would have seemed hopeless. But that would miss how he eventually turned his life around and built a successful career as a radio personality. "Life is a film strip," the personal finance guru said. "It's a series of snapshots strung together." Ramsey underscored that factors such as house prices, interest rates, and the speed of wage growth change over time. "So, bottom line is if you're in your 20s, and houses are too expensive because interest rates are 6%, and your wages haven't kept up with what the boomer curve was — which are all accurate mathematical statements — you'll be OK," he said. "When you're 30, it's going to be different." The vast majority of young people will earn higher incomes in the future as they gain experience and climb their career ladders, Ramsey said. That can help them to pay off their debts, afford homes, and build the lives they want. Ramsey asked rhetorically whether "at the apex of my life, when I'm at my maximum earning potential, am I making less than I did when I was 22 years old and I just got out of school?" "No," he continued, adding that the number of people for whom that's true is "almost zero — you can't find them." Diligently saving and investing for decades is a powerful way to build long-term wealth and escape money troubles, Ramsey said. For example, investing 15% of a household income of $70,000 a year, or about $10,500 a year, into a 401(k) for 40 years would yield $2.1 million, assuming an average annual return of 7%. Ramsey emphasized that kind of calculation is likely conservative as it assumes "a guy never got a raise" over the entire time period. Even if national wage growth is lagging inflation, individuals can buck that trend through hard work, Ramsey said. People can "personally outpace the fact that wages haven't kept up," he said. "So go do that — that's your thing." On a related note, Ramsey recalled his children once complaining to him that something wasn't fair. "I'm like, fair is where the Tilt-a-Whirl and the cotton candy is, kid," he said. "You want some fair, go get some." Ramsey hailed his Gen Z employees for their hustle: "They'll charge the gates of hell with a water pistol." On the other hand, he recalled that when an employee who "had more degrees than a thermometer" once asked him for a raise, Ramsey replied that his company cared about effort and results, not qualifications. Gen Zers shouldn't feel resigned to financial struggle given the wealth of opportunity in the US, Ramsey said, echoing the likes of Warren Buffett and Mark Cuban. The "little man, the guy starting from nothing," benefits from the country's freedoms and the ease of access to its markets and information, he said. If someone is motivated and has "two brain cells to rub together, you probably have a better chance of becoming wealthy in America today, starting from nothing, than in any place at any time in history." Ramsey's comments are likely to strike some as overly optimistic and dismissive of deep-seated challenges such as wage stagnation, onerous amounts of student, a housing affordability crisis, and unequal opportunity across regions and demographics, not to mention the disruption that AI threatens to cause to many occupations. Yet it's probably sound advice for most young people to maximize their chances of financial success whatever the world throws at them, and remember the forces of earnings power and wealth compounding work in their favor. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
5 reasons for Gen Zers with money problems to be hopeful, according to Dave Ramsey
Gen Zers have had their finances walloped by a pandemic, historic inflation, soaring interest rates, and widespread layoffs in recent years — and could face more pain if President Donald Trump's trade war drives up prices and drags the economy into recession. Yet most young people will be fine in the long run if they work hard and manage their money wisely, Dave Ramsey told the "Modern Wisdom" podcast in an episode released on Thursday. The host of " The Ramsey Show" said America's youth should feel optimistic about their financial futures for these five reasons: 1. Now isn't forever Ramsay said that if someone had taken a snapshot of him when he filed for bankruptcy at age 28 with two kids, his financial situation would have seemed hopeless. But that would miss how he eventually turned his life around and built a successful career as a radio personality. "Life is a film strip," the personal finance guru said. "It's a series of snapshots strung together." Ramsey underscored that factors such as house prices, interest rates, and the speed of wage growth change over time. "So, bottom line is if you're in your 20s, and houses are too expensive because interest rates are 6%, and your wages haven't kept up with what the boomer curve was — which are all accurate mathematical statements — you'll be OK," he said. "When you're 30, it's going to be different." 2. Earnings go up The vast majority of young people will earn higher incomes in the future as they gain experience and climb their career ladders, Ramsey said. That can help them to pay off their debts, afford homes, and build the lives they want. Ramsey asked rhetorically whether "at the apex of my life, when I'm at my maximum earning potential, am I making less than I did when I was 22 years old and I just got out of school?" "No," he continued, adding that the number of people for whom that's true is "almost zero — you can't find them." 3. The power of compounding Diligently saving and investing for decades is a powerful way to build long-term wealth and escape money troubles, Ramsey said. For example, investing 15% of a household income of $70,000 a year, or about $10,500 a year, into a 401(k) for 40 years would yield $2.1 million, assuming an average annual return of 7%. Ramsey emphasized that kind of calculation is likely conservative as it assumes "a guy never got a raise" over the entire time period. 4. Personal agency Even if national wage growth is lagging inflation, individuals can buck that trend through hard work, Ramsey said. People can "personally outpace the fact that wages haven't kept up," he said. "So go do that — that's your thing." On a related note, Ramsey recalled his children once complaining to him that something wasn't fair. "I'm like, fair is where the Tilt-a-Whirl and the cotton candy is, kid," he said. "You want some fair, go get some." Ramsey hailed his Gen Z employees for their hustle: "They'll charge the gates of hell with a water pistol." On the other hand, he recalled that when an employee who "had more degrees than a thermometer" once asked him for a raise, Ramsey replied that his company cared about effort and results, not qualifications. 5. American dream Gen Zers shouldn't feel resigned to financial struggle given the wealth of opportunity in the US, Ramsey said, echoing the likes of Warren Buffett and Mark Cuban. The "little man, the guy starting from nothing," benefits from the country's freedoms and the ease of access to its markets and information, he said. If someone is motivated and has "two brain cells to rub together, you probably have a better chance of becoming wealthy in America today, starting from nothing, than in any place at any time in history." Rose-colored glasses Ramsey's comments are likely to strike some as overly optimistic and dismissive of deep-seated challenges such as wage stagnation, onerous amounts of student, a housing affordability crisis, and unequal opportunity across regions and demographics, not to mention the disruption that AI threatens to cause to many occupations. Yet it's probably sound advice for most young people to maximize their chances of financial success whatever the world throws at them, and remember the forces of earnings power and wealth compounding work in their favor.
