26-07-2025
Why Are Young Men Still Struggling?
To the Editor:
'What's the Matter With Men?,' by David French (Opinion newsletter, July 10), which recounts his conversation with the clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, calls attention to the fact that males are doing poorly relative to females in many ways — academically, physically, psychologically and socially. Both ideological and technological causes for this lagging among boys are considered.
While I think these factors are important, the larger problem is that while females have dramatically changed their position in society for the better, males have stagnated in an outmoded set of masculine norms.
Mr. French seems to assume that masculinity is a given. Yet as a research psychologist focused on masculinity, I believe that masculinity is best thought of as a set of social norms, embedded in culture and a historical era. The current definition of masculinity is predicated on avoidance of stereotypical female characteristics, such as emotional self-awareness and expression, compassion and empathy — the very traits that account for a successful life.
Ronald F. LevantCopley, OhioThe writer is a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Akron.
To the Editor:
David French and I both remember a time when men were openly assumed to be superior to women. The changes for the good that we have seen in our lifetimes in opportunities for women clearly mirror those of other repressed groups, but often progress comes with real growing pains.
Today too many look at the difficulties faced by young boys and long to return to a time when white men relied on the ignorant security of superiority. To some, those simple answers remain seductive, but they come at a cost to girls, women and any group that has suffered the weight of oppression.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
