The disappearance of men | Christine Emba

Summary

Christine Emba, author and journalist, discusses the struggles faced by men in the modern world, addressing the negative perception of masculinity often associated with terms like 'toxic.' She identifies three key areas of crisis for men: changes in the labor market leading to job loss, especially among young men; a shift in educational attainment with women now outpacing men in college degrees; and domestic challenges due to economic and social changes. Emba notes the rise of online communities and 'manfluencers' like Jordan Peterson, who provide advice and a new vision of masculinity, although some of these figures can promote harmful views against women. She emphasizes the need for a positive vision of masculinity that is pro-social and beneficial to society, involving traits like strength, self-mastery, leadership, and care for others, and stresses that positive masculinity should not be a zero-sum game but should contribute to the well-being of both sexes.

Takeaways

• 📉 **Economic Shifts Impact Men**: Globalization and de-industrialization have led to a decline in jobs traditionally held by men, such as in the industrial sector.
• 👨‍💼 **Decline in Male Employment**: There is a significant drop in employment among men, particularly among young men aged 25 to 34, who are prime working age.
• 🎓 **Educational Shifts**: Women have made significant strides in education, leading to a reversal where women now earn more college degrees than men.
• 📚 **Pandemic's Impact on Education**: College enrollment dropped during the pandemic, with 70% of the dropouts being men.
• 🏠 **Domestic Life Changes**: Stagnating wages and falling educational rates for men have affected their roles in domestic life, with more young men reporting being single.
• 👥 **Partnership Challenges**: More women than men report difficulty finding a partner who meets their standards, reflecting a shift in traditional gender roles.
• 💼 **NEETs and Online Dissatisfaction**: Men not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) often express dissatisfaction online, contributing to a sense of societal disconnect.
• 🕹️ **Gaming as an Escape**: Many men are turning to video games as a means to achieve success and goals that may be elusive in the real world.
• 🧍‍♂️ **Influence of 'Manfluencers'**: Figures like Jordan Peterson, Andrew Tate, and Joe Rogan provide advice and empathy to men, but can also propagate negative views on femininity and feminism.
• 🚫 **Misogyny Among Some Influencers**: Some manfluencers discuss masculinity in opposition to femininity, which can lead to harmful rhetoric and actions.
• 🌟 **Positive Vision of Masculinity Needed**: A constructive vision of masculinity should be aspirational and specific, emphasizing traits like strength, self-mastery, leadership, and care for others.

Q & A

What societal trends have led to men struggling in the current moment according to the transcript?

According to the transcript, three key areas where men are struggling are changes in the labor market due to globalization and de-industrialization, issues in education including a decline in college enrollment, and challenges in the domestic sphere such as stagnating wages and shifting relational roles.

What demographic group has seen a significant drop in labor market participation according to the transcript?

The transcript mentions that men ages 25 to 34 are among the groups that have dropped out the most from the labor market.

What are NEETs, as described in the transcript?

NEETs, as described in the transcript, refer to men who are 'Not in education, employment, or training.' These individuals are often found engaging in online activities such as participating in forums or playing video games.

What role do manfluencers play in the lives of young men according to the transcript?

Manfluencers, such as Jordan Peterson, Andrew Tate, and Joe Rogan, are mentioned in the transcript as figures who provide empathy and solutions to the struggles faced by young men. They offer advice on self-improvement and often present masculinity as an aspirational challenge.

What downside is associated with some manfluencers according to the transcript?

According to the transcript, some manfluencers perpetuate misogyny and opposition to feminism in their discussions of masculinity. Figures like Andrew Tate have been criticized for promoting violence against women, with Tate himself being arrested for sex trafficking.

What does the transcript suggest as a solution for helping men in crisis?

The transcript suggests that a positive vision of masculinity, one that is aspirational and specific, is needed to help men in crisis. This vision should focus on traits like strength, self-mastery, leadership, and responsibility, channeled towards pro-social behaviors.

How does the transcript address concerns about boxing both sexes in when discussing masculinity?

The transcript acknowledges the fear of boxing both sexes in when discussing masculinity and femininity. It argues that this isn't a zero-sum game and emphasizes the importance of both sexes thriving for the broader society to flourish.

What traits are associated with positive masculinity according to the transcript?

According to the transcript, traits associated with positive masculinity include strength, self-mastery, leadership, responsibility, and care for others. These traits should be channeled towards pro-social behaviors for the good of society.

How does the transcript address the relationship between masculinity and feminism?

The transcript acknowledges that some discussions of masculinity oppose feminism or blame female agency for men's struggles. However, it argues for a positive vision of masculinity that is not denigrating towards femininity and emphasizes the importance of both sexes thriving together.

What does the transcript suggest as a solution for helping men embrace positive masculinity?

The transcript suggests providing a positive and specific vision of masculinity that focuses on traits like strength, self-mastery, leadership, and responsibility, channeled towards pro-social behaviors. This vision should avoid denigrating femininity and instead offer a constructive path forward for men.