Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It

Richard Reeves examines the widening gender gap in education, employment, and social health that has left many men behind. He reports that girls now outperform boys in classrooms due to biological differences in brain development, where the prefrontal cortex matures later in males. In the workforce, the disappearance of traditionally male-dominated manufacturing jobs has decoupled men from their roles as providers, while women have successfully integrated into high-growth sectors. Reeves proposes institutional changes like "redshirting" boys to start school a year later than girls and actively recruiting men into "HEAL" professions—health, education, administration, and literacy—to address these structural imbalances.

Parents, educators, and policymakers read this book to understand why boys are falling behind in school and why middle-aged men are dropping out of the labor force. It provides a data-driven framework for discussing male disadvantage that avoids partisan rancor. Readers gain specific policy ideas and parenting strategies aimed at helping boys adapt to a service-based economy. The book offers a blueprint for supporting men’s success without undermining the progress made by women, focusing on practical adjustments to the education system and professional development.