Employment
Men – especially working class men – are struggling in our changing global economy
In the span of only a few decades, the U.S. labor market has been transformed. As a result of structural changes in the economy–for example offshoring and automation–fewer men are working. Many of those who are working have seen a big decline in their wages.
Much of this is structural and related to trends in the economy and educational outcomes. Men make up the majority of the workers in many industries most affected by automation. Today, men are less likely than women to graduate high school or earn a four-year college degree. And yet despite strong evidence that vocational training has been shown to boost earnings for men without bachelor’s degrees, investments in these programs are limited.
Curated Content
Check out our resources related to employment
Research Employment
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.
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.
The State of Working Class Men
This report outlines the current state of America’s working class men and describes recent trends in the key areas of employment, earnings, health, and family.
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.
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.
Washington State Fact Sheet
A fact sheet on the challenges boys and men face in Washington State
commentary Employment
No, young men are not turning away from gender equality
But like many women, they have mixed feelings about feminism.
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.
To Save Democracy, Help Men
Read about the link between why we should help men, political extremism, and threats to democracy.
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
Some news I can’t wait to share: AIBM
Why I'm founding the American Institute for Boys and Men