I agree with Taylor’s callout of “powerful writing.” This was really well done and perfectly articulated the nuances that have made me concerned with how modern feminism is playing out. Thanks for this take!
I'm a dad of two young boys aged 5 and 1, and meanwhile I work as a youth mentor for teenage boys across the region where I live.
Seeing the horrifying messages teenage boys are getting from online "influencers" and even their own social circles terrifies me a little. And it creates a cycle in which young women then distrust even good-hearted young men, leading the young men to become even more disenfranchised and bitter.
But informed, nuanced, powerful writing like yours on this subject helps give me confidence and hope. I really appreciate your expertise and perspective!
Thanks Taylor. I'm worried for this generation. You'll want to read Ruth Whippman's book when it comes out. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I discovered your post via the Weekly Stack Substack collated for me & I'm so glad I did, b/c your book seems to be the yin to the yang of my book! Your coming-soon book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World, is about raising girls in a still-sexist world. My book, published last April, is Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males, and it points out the ways boys are also hindered and affected by sexism (& what we can do to help them thrive as humans). I have 4 sons (no daughters), so that's why I gravitated toward this perspective. I too have written recently about decreased teen dating, young males' rightward lean, and so it's so interesting to read about the same things from another angle. It's enlightening too & helps me better understand the world my sons (currently ages 18-26) are navigating, the world all of our children are navigating.
I especially loved that you pointed out that while, yes, men (in general) have had power & privilege for a long time, today's boys aren't men. That's something I find myself reminding parents & teachers over and over again. As a female myself, I know that there are reasons many women don't trust males. But today's kindergartners and teens -- they didn't do those things. They deserve just as much love, support, and nurturing as our girls & nonbinary children.
Thanks for reaching out Jennifer! You're reminding me that I'd wanted to read your book when it came out last year but I was right in the thick of writing my book and barely came up for air until recently. I can't remember who told me about it. Maybe I saw it in a Binder? I was commiserating in the book writing process with someone who has three boys which is also why she found herself writing a book about boys. Anyway, glad we connected. Just subscribed to your stack!
I agree with Taylor’s callout of “powerful writing.” This was really well done and perfectly articulated the nuances that have made me concerned with how modern feminism is playing out. Thanks for this take!
Thanks so much Danielle! Feminism isn't a monolith but I agree this coopted commercialized feminism dilutes the larger messages.
I'm a dad of two young boys aged 5 and 1, and meanwhile I work as a youth mentor for teenage boys across the region where I live.
Seeing the horrifying messages teenage boys are getting from online "influencers" and even their own social circles terrifies me a little. And it creates a cycle in which young women then distrust even good-hearted young men, leading the young men to become even more disenfranchised and bitter.
But informed, nuanced, powerful writing like yours on this subject helps give me confidence and hope. I really appreciate your expertise and perspective!
Thanks Taylor. I'm worried for this generation. You'll want to read Ruth Whippman's book when it comes out. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I discovered your post via the Weekly Stack Substack collated for me & I'm so glad I did, b/c your book seems to be the yin to the yang of my book! Your coming-soon book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World, is about raising girls in a still-sexist world. My book, published last April, is Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males, and it points out the ways boys are also hindered and affected by sexism (& what we can do to help them thrive as humans). I have 4 sons (no daughters), so that's why I gravitated toward this perspective. I too have written recently about decreased teen dating, young males' rightward lean, and so it's so interesting to read about the same things from another angle. It's enlightening too & helps me better understand the world my sons (currently ages 18-26) are navigating, the world all of our children are navigating.
I especially loved that you pointed out that while, yes, men (in general) have had power & privilege for a long time, today's boys aren't men. That's something I find myself reminding parents & teachers over and over again. As a female myself, I know that there are reasons many women don't trust males. But today's kindergartners and teens -- they didn't do those things. They deserve just as much love, support, and nurturing as our girls & nonbinary children.
Thanks for reaching out Jennifer! You're reminding me that I'd wanted to read your book when it came out last year but I was right in the thick of writing my book and barely came up for air until recently. I can't remember who told me about it. Maybe I saw it in a Binder? I was commiserating in the book writing process with someone who has three boys which is also why she found herself writing a book about boys. Anyway, glad we connected. Just subscribed to your stack!