Are Teenage Boys in Crisis? A Growing Concern for Educators and Mentors
A concerning trend is emerging in the United Kingdom: boys are increasingly falling behind girls in education, employment, and social development. This has prompted educators and community leaders to seek solutions, including mentorship programs designed to support young men as they navigate adolescence and early adulthood.
The Widening Gap
Boys are lagging behind girls in every metric at school, from primary education to GCSEs. The proportion of young men failing to move from education into employment or training has been steadily growing for thirty years [1]. Since the pandemic, the number of males aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has increased by 40%, compared to just a 7% increase for females [1]. Young men are now out-earned by their female peers, even among university graduates [1].
Social and Emotional Challenges
The challenges facing young men extend beyond academics and employment. Boys and young men are experiencing a crisis of identity and purpose, with a growing divergence in social and political attitudes between the sexes. Young men are increasingly drawn to conservative and right-wing political movements, while young women lean more liberal and left-progressive [1]. This disconnect is exacerbated by an increasingly online existence, where boys and girls often inhabit separate digital spaces.
The “Lost Boys” and the Need for Mentorship
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has highlighted these issues in its report on “Lost Boys,” noting that millions of boys are deprived of positive male role models due to family breakdown [1]. Raphael, a 15-year-ancient whose father left home when he was two, exemplifies this struggle. He describes feeling a sense of self-doubt, questioning whether he is “enough” or “the problem” due to his father’s absence.
Brighton Hill Community School’s Initiative: The GOAT Boys Project
Brighton Hill Community School in Basingstoke is attempting to address this issue with a new mentorship program called The GOAT (GREATEST OF ALL THE) Boys. Inspired by a speech from former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who stated that “Young men are suffering. They are grappling with their masculinity and their broader place in society” [1], the school aims to create a community of men of all ages to provide guidance and support to young boys.
Community Response and Early Successes
The school’s initiative has garnered significant community support, with over 50 men volunteering as mentors. Jacob, a 16-year-old student who struggled after his father had a stroke, found it helpful to take time out of lessons to connect with mentors in the gym. Both Raphael and Jacob are now back on track at school, demonstrating the potential positive impact of mentorship.
Challenges and Future Expansion
Despite the promising start, challenges remain. The school’s headteacher, Chris Edwards, acknowledges that not all pupils can be reached, and external pressures can sometimes outweigh the school’s influence. However, the GOAT Boys project has already inspired more than 50 other schools to implement similar programs, signaling a growing recognition of the need to support young men.
Raphael’s message to other boys who have lost a father figure is to “leverage it as your why,” turning that experience into a motivation for success rather than an excuse for failure.