Saving Boys

For some time I’ve been burdened about the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and social condition of boys and young men.  We’re losing them.

 

Philip Zimbardo and Nikita Duncan have written a book entitled “The Demise of Guys: Why Boys Are Struggling And What We Can Do About It” in which they present some absolutely startling research: 

·         In 2011, young men’s SAT scores were the worst they had been in 40 years.

·         Even Hollywood has caught on: films like Failure to Launch, Knocked Up and Jackass mock the ineptitude of this generation.

·         Boys account for 70 percent of D’s and F’s given at school.

·         Research shows guys aren’t interested in being husbands, fathers or the head of the household.

·         Boys are four to five times more likely than girls to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Two-thirds of students in special education programs are guys.

·         The average boy spends 13 hours a week playing video games. The average girl spends 5. The average young American will spend 10,000 hours playing video games by age 21. That’s twice the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree.

·         The average high school boy spends two hours watching porn every week. Men can’t escape porn: 13,500 full-length commercial porn films were released in 2011, compared with 600 Hollywood films.

·         Researchers claim that internet pornography is hurting young boys’ ability to form meaningful romantic relationships because they objectify their partner.

·         It’s predicted that 60 percent of bachelor’s degrees will go to women by 2016.

 

What shall we do?  Solutions will not easy because the problem is endemic to our society.  It is “who we are” as a society.  Here are a few things that come to mind that can make a difference.

 

·         Pray—without the intervention of God we’re sunk.

·         Pray with boys—boys and young men need to hear older men talking to God on their behalf.  It demonstrates to them that we care and we value them.

·         Minimize or eliminate computer, phone, and electronic gaming.

·         Teach boys to read—a generation of illiterates will never be able to lead.

·         Teach boys to work hard—I’m not sure how to do it, I just know it needs to be done.  Be sure their work is meaningful and making a significant contribution to others. 

·         Put the man back in manners—boys need training in how to look people in the eye, engage in conversation and respect others--especially girls and women. 

·         If your son is spiritually healthy encourage him to reach out to boys who are not.  Often the only people who have access to at-risk boys are their peers.

 

Brian