Men’s Identity Crisis: Education, Mental Health, and the Path Forward

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver sits down with Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men, to tackle the growing "gender gap" affecting education, mental health, and the workforce. As women and girls continue their much-celebrated rise, data shows that boys and men are falling behind at alarming rates—from a 60/40 female-to-male college enrollment ratio to a tragic 30% increase in male suicide rates since 2010.

Reeves argues that helping men isn't a "zero-sum game" against women’s progress. Instead, he advocates for a new "economic script" for marriage and the vital need for male role models in our civic institutions. We dive into the "technology shock" of the digital age, discussing how smartphones and social media impact young men differently than young women through addictive behaviors like sports betting and pornography.

Join us for a candid, non-judgmental look at why society needs flourishing men to build healthy families and thriving communities.

Welcome to Deseret Voices, a weekly podcast from the Deseret News (https://deseret.com) that brings depth, nuance and respect to conversations about today’s complex topics and current events. Join our hosts, award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, every Thursday as they go beyond news headlines by talking with newsmakers and thought leaders to find common ground and uncover unique perspectives on today’s critical issues in politics, faith, sports, and more.