The Crisis of Young Men: A Call To Action

I often find myself reflecting on the troubling state of young men in our society. Recently, in the building where I live, a young man vandalized the front lobby with paint and vulgar language. He also ranted about conspiracy theories while in the lobby. Although I’m not a mental health professional, it’s clear that addressing grievances through vandalism is not an appropriate solution.

In this case, his frustration stemmed from the elevators being out of service for over a week, compounded by poor communication from the management company. While his feelings of frustration may be understandable, his actions were not. He took matters into his own hands and has since faced serious consequences, including arrest and eviction.

This incident made me think about another young man—one who led a life of privilege and demonstrated high intelligence—who allegedly took drastic action by killing a CEO in New York City. Brian Thompson, a 50-year-old husband and father of four, was tragically shot to death on December 4th. His children will never again see their father, especially during cherished family times like Christmas.

As a single father, I make it a point to connect with my twin sons daily. I check their mental and physical well-being, ask them tough questions when necessary, and ensure they complete their homework and attend their athletic practices. They know I am always here for them and will continue for as long as I live. But stories like these make me deeply concerned about how we, as a society, are raising and supporting our children, particularly young men.

Parenting is not about being a best friend to your children. It’s about setting boundaries and expectations. Young men today face alarming challenges. Statistics show that they are four times more likely to die by suicide, three times more likely to struggle with addiction, and 12 times more likely to be incarcerated compared to other groups. These trends suggest a severe crisis that we cannot ignore.

There is also a societal failure to address the emotional and economic needs of young men. A staggering one in three men under 30 has not had any intimate relationships in the past year. Many young men lack confidence, do not pursue mentorship or meaningful friendships, and struggle to secure jobs. Instead, they are often caught in a digital cycle, consuming content and algorithms that offer a poor substitute for real-life experiences.

This crisis does not just affect men. Women, too, want economically and emotionally stable men as partners, fathers, and friends. Empathy is not a zero-sum game; supporting young men does not detract from the rights or progress of others. Civil rights and marriage equality, for example, have shown us that extending compassion and opportunity benefits everyone.

We must recognize that the absence of male role models is a critical failure point for young men. When a boy loses the guidance of a positive male figure, he is far more likely to go off track. The ultimate expression of masculinity is not wealth or power but living a virtuous life and reaching out to mentor and support others. If we want better men, we must strive to be better men ourselves.

This is a call to action for fathers, teachers, mentors, and friends. We need to step up and do a better job of guiding, supporting, and understanding the struggles of young men. Without collective effort, this concerning trend will only continue to worsen.