Education & Skills
By multiple measures, boys have fallen far behind in education
Over the last several decades, girls have overtaken boys by nearly every metric in educational outcomes. Today, boys are less prepared to start school and, at nearly every point in their K-12 school career, have lower GPAs than girls. Boys are also less likely to take advanced-placement courses and less likely to graduate high school. Women make up the majority of students on America’s college campuses.
Girls are thriving–and that’s good news–but the data couldn’t be more clear. Something’s not working for boys.
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Check out our resources related to education
Research Education & Skills
Men at Work: Trends and Metrics
Explore male workforce trends by race, age, and education with data on unemployment, participation, and earnings from BLS and CPS.
Male Stagnation in Doctoral Programs
Male representation in doctoral programs has dropped from 73% in 1980 to 43% today, with men now a minority in medicine, veterinary, and law fields. Learn more about the gender shifts in graduate education.
7 Key Facts About Male Teachers
The share of male teachers in public K-12 schools has dropped significantly, especially at the secondary level. This brief dives into key findings around the teacher pipeline.
Bridging the Gender Gap: Encouraging Men into Female-Dominated Jobs. An Experiment in Social Work.
Targeted recruitment strategies, like clear job performance info, can boost male interest in female-dominated jobs, bridging gender gaps without deterring women.
HBCUs at a Crossroads: Addressing the Decline in Black Male Enrollment
Black men now make up only 26% of students at HBCUs, down from 38% in 1976, leading to fewer benefiting from the supportive environment these institutions offer.
Research Summary: Three ideas to help boys at school
In this research summary, Richard V. Reeves proposes three distinct policy approaches to address gender gaps in education, ranging from gender-neutral to gender-based policies, advocating for interventions aimed at creating a more male-friendly K-12 education system.
Degrees of Difference: Male College Enrollment and Completion
This brief explores the dimensions of male achievement in higher education, focusing on completion and enrollment across time, racial groups and institutional types.
Missing Misters: Gender Diversity among Teachers
Learn about the male teacher shortage in U.S. schools, its impact on boys' education, and why it should be a policy priority.
Where Are the Men? Male Representation in Social Work and Psychology
Men face a significant lack of representation in mental health professions despite the growing mental health needs among them.
Educational Achievement and Progression by Gender in Washington: 6 Key Takeaways
Washington State Fact Sheet
A fact sheet on the challenges boys and men face in Washington State
commentary Education & Skills
No, young men are not turning away from gender equality
But like many women, they have mixed feelings about feminism.
Let’s stop telling teen boys they are toxic.
Catherine Carr wants us to reconsider how we treat boys, promoting understanding and open dialogue instead of labeling them as toxic.
The dangerous myth of male incompetence
The myth of male incompetence is reinforced by low expectations. Emily Oster argues competence is learned, not tied to gender.
Melinda French Gates invests in boys and men: a new era for gender equality
Melinda French Gates is investing in boys and men, showing that the gender equality movement has space for men and boys without sacrificing its focus on women and girls. AIBM President Richard Reeves has been selected to direct a portion of these investments.
We must pay more attention to young men
The growing political gap between Gen Z men and women does not bode well...
To Save Democracy, Help Men
Read about the link between why we should help men, political extremism, and threats to democracy.
Hey Coach! Our Boys Need You
Learn about the disciplines of freedom and the vital role coaches play in mentoring healthy masculinity for young boys.
Why Washington State should create a Commission on Boys and Men
Lawmakers in Washington State may be about to lead the nation by establishing a bipartisan Commission on Boys and Men.
We need more apprenticeships
For young men struggling to transition into work, apprenticeships are a good alternative to college
The math gap that’s not what you think it is
Plus: discussing loneliness with the Surgeon General and a landmark essay on masculinity
Some news I can’t wait to share: AIBM
Why I'm founding the American Institute for Boys and Men
Into the vacuum demons pour
Why neglecting male issues is bad for our culture and politics
Commentary
We need more apprenticeships