Rethinking Masculinity in an Age of Equality

There’s a growing chorus of concern about the state of young men and boys. The data is troubling. Educational achievement, mental health, employment, and social connection are all in decline. And while some have tried to blame feminism or gender equality for this crisis, let me be clear: progress for one group does not require regression for another. 

We must remember that when you've spent millennia at the top of the pyramid, even a few steps toward the middle—so that others can rise—can feel like a cataclysmic loss. But it isn’t. It’s a recalibration. And it’s necessary. 

The Data Speaks Loudly 

• Mental Health: In Canada, the percentage of boys aged 16–21 19% reported poor mental health in 2023, up from 7% in 2019[1]. In the U.S., boys are more likely to be diagnosed with behavioural disorders and less likely to seek help.  
• Suicide: A staggering 75% of deaths by suicide in Canada are men[2]. Additionally, in the U.S., suicide rates among young men (ages 15–24) have nearly doubled since 1968—from 11 to 21 per 100,000 [1].  This is not just a statistic—it’s a call to action. 
• Education: Canadian boys are falling behind in classrooms. PHE (Physical and Health Education) Canada reports that boys are more likely to disengage from school and less likely to graduate on time [3]. In the U.S., only 83% of boys graduate high school on time compared to 89% of girls [1]. Women also outnumber men in college enrollment, with 66% of recent female graduates enrolling versus just 57% of males [1]. 
• Employment and Health: In the U.S. labour force participation among men aged 25–54 has dropped from 94% in 1975 to 89% today, while women’s participation has surged from 55% to 78% [2]. Men aged 25–44 are four times more likely to suffer heart attacks than women of the same age. Over 23% of Canadian men aged 18–34 report heavy drinking, often linked to outdated masculine norms [2]. 
• Relationships and Adulthood: 19% of men aged 25–34 still live with their parents, compared to 13% of women. More men than women are single, and many report feeling unmoored and undervalued [1]. 

What We Must Do 

In our rightful focus on addressing the marginalization of girls and women, we have not paid enough attention to preparing boys for a world that looks very different from that of their fathers and grandfathers. The promises made to them—explicitly or implicitly—may no longer hold. The old playbook doesn’t work. A new one is needed. 

But let me be unequivocal: the solution is not to roll back the modest gains made by women and underrepresented groups. Requiring boys and young men to adapt to a more inclusive world is not too high a price to pay—it’s the cost of progress, and it benefits everyone. 

Evidence-Based Solutions 

Canada is home to several organizations and researchers leading the way: 

• Next Gen Men: This organization helps boys challenge outdated norms and build healthier masculinities. They train educators, parents, and coaches to support boys in navigating adolescence and emotional growth [4]. 
• PHE Canada: Their 2024 Thinkers Report highlights strategies to support boys in classrooms, emphasizing empathy, accountability, and resilience [3]. 
• CIHR’s Boys and Men’s Health Initiative: With over $15M invested in research, this initiative has produced resources like HeadsUpGuys, an online platform supporting men’s mental health [2]. 
• JoyPop App: Developed to help male youth—including Indigenous youth—build resilience after trauma, this app is being adapted to include culturally relevant content [2]. 

Experts like Richard Reeves of the American Institute for Boys and Men propose a range of gender-sensitive and gender-based policies: 

• Vocational Education: Expanding technical high schools has shown significant benefits for boys, including higher graduation rates and earnings [3]. 
• Male Teachers: Increasing the number of male educators—especially men of colour—can provide role models and improve engagement [3]. 
• Delayed School Start: “Redshirting” boys (starting school a year later) may help bridge developmental gaps and improve outcomes [3]. 

Organizations like Promundo, BMAN (Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network), and MenEngage Alliance are leading the way in redefining masculinity: 

• Healthy Masculinity: Teaching emotional intelligence, empathy, and respect for all genders reduces violence and improves mental health [4]. 
• Mentorship: Boys with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college and 46% less likely to use drugs [4]. 
• Gender-Transformative Curricula: Programs like Manhood 2.0 and Program H|M help boys critically examine harmful norms and build inclusive identities [5]. 

A Call to Action 

We need to invest in boys—not to restore a bygone era, but to help them thrive in this one. Let’s build systems that support their growth, challenge outdated norms, and prepare them for a future where equality is not a threat, but a shared goal. 

At Synclusiv, we believe inclusion means everyone. That includes boys and young men. Let’s ensure they’re not left behind. 

Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, PHE Canada, Next Gen Men, Devon C. Rubenstein Foundation, NDTV, American Institute for Boys and Men, Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network, Advancing Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms.