A growing concern these days is the underperformance of young men and boys in various fields, including education, where girls are increasingly excelling. This trend is evident in higher education, enrollment and graduation rates, as well as in literacy and academic achievement.
A recent article by The New York Times highlights this trend of boys and young men increasingly facing challenges in educational achievement, mental well-being, and adapting to adult responsibilities.
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The article is based on multiple surveys conducted by researchers. As per the report, in the United States, several social factors contributed to this 'disturbing' trend including school changes in ways that favour girls. The same pattern is followed in workplaces too. Boys are often seen as troublemakers, and men have heard that masculinity is "toxic", says the report.
The report points out that even among youngsters there is a common feeling that girls are now enjoying an equal status with men or in many cases doing a better job than boys.
According to NYT, women outnumber men in college enrollment, correlating with improved career opportunities and higher earnings. Mental health is declining too among young people, affecting both girls and boys.
The report states that women dominate the growing service sector while men are losing ground in disappearing manual labour roles.
There is decline in labour force participation among men aged 25-54 from 94 per cent in 1975 to 89 per cent currently. However, the labour force participation among women in the same age group rose from 55 per cent to 78 per cent, said the NYT report.
