Tackle toxic masculinity, help ‘boy crisis’
LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM
In response to the column “‘The boy crisis’ is more than economic,” while I appreciate the attention paid to this important topic, I was very disappointed to find the analysis lacking.
I do not believe it is possible to talk about serious issues boys and young men face in this country, such as rates of incarceration and unemployment/lack of employment preparation, without mentioning the disparate impact of these issues on brown and black boys, and the systemic forces that have created the “crisis.”
I strongly refute the notion that concepts such as “the future is female” and “toxic masculinity” are to blame for this crisis. I am mystified at how the author could provide a nod to feminism (which has always benefitted boys and men) when speaking of dads, and fail to recognize that toxic masculinity is not something deployed to hurt boys, but rather a growing awareness of the ways that strict codes of masculinity contribute to this crisis. It is meant to inspire boys and men to redefine masculinity in a way that will make them stronger, more confident, resilient and successful in a rapidly changing and diversifying world. It does a disservice and is a missed opportunity to write on such an important issue without providing solutions that will actually get to the heart of the issue. The “boy crisis” will never be resolved until toxic masculinity and systemic racism are addressed.
Katie Gutierrez Nittmann
Denver
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The “boy crisis” is a lot more than just single-parent homes. People also have to do better in seeing how their children are doing daily. The more people retreat into themselves at a young age, the more difficult it will be to feel like they are part of the world. Melvin Ransom
It’s important to have good role models of any gender in a child’s life. The gender does not matter as much as the caliber of person that is parenting the child. Blaming female empowerment for the struggles of boys in America is ridiculous. Danielle McGrath-Hermann WANT TO COMMENT? Have Your Say at letters@usatoday.com, @usatodayopinion on Twitter and facbook.com/usatodayopinion. Comments are edited for length and clarity. Content submitted to USA TODAY may appear in print, digital or other forms.