Today’s young men are facing new sets of problems, including economic challenges, mental health issues, and social loneliness. However, among these problems, the most significant challenge lies in the absence of capable and constructive leadership. In the past, and even today, young men could rely on fathers, teachers, and advocates to navigate life’s difficulties and grow into strong individuals. With changes in societal dynamics and modes of authority, many now lack access to the ideals and guidance necessary to succeed. This expanding leadership gap not only affects individuals on a personal level but also poses a serious threat to the health of society as a whole.
The Role of Fathers in Leadership
To begin with, one of the primary reasons why young men of this generation lack leadership is the absence of fathers in the household. For starters, studies consistently show that children who do not have positive father figures in their homes suffer considerably. Even before a child is born, a father’s attitudes towards pregnancy, prenatal behaviors, and relationship with the mother can indirectly influence birth outcomes. During early childhood, school-aged children with positive relationships with their fathers are less likely to experience sadness, engage in disruptive behavior, or lie. Furthermore, they are significantly more likely to exhibit prosocial behaviors.
Research also reveals a troubling link between fatherlessness and domestic violence. Many men who physically attack their female partners grew up in households where they witnessed their fathers abusing their mothers. The consequences of fatherless homes extend into adolescence and adulthood, manifesting in various adverse outcomes, including higher risks of poverty. Former President George W. Bush underscored this issue during his tenure: “Over the last four decades, fatherlessness has emerged as one of our most serious social challenges. We understand that children who grow up with absent fathers can suffer long-term consequences. They are more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school, develop a drug addiction, have an unmarried child, or wind up in jail. Fatherlessness is not the sole source of these issues, but our country must acknowledge it as a contributing component.”
The Search for Role Models
In addition to the absence of fathers, many young men struggle to find positive role models, leading to a desperate search for guidance. This search has produced both positive and
negative consequences.
Positive Role Models
On the positive side, figures like Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator, have been credited with providing meaningful guidance to many young men. Jordan Peterson’s best-selling book, 12 Rules for Life, has been life-changing for many young men, including myself. Figures like Peterson have instilled a sense of responsibility and accountability in young men.
Negative Role Models
However, the search for role models can also lead to negative influences. Figures such as Andrew Tate, a controversial personality currently facing charges of human trafficking, have popularized the “red pill” movement, which has led to a rise in misogynistic views toward women. It is important to note that constructive criticism of a group of people is not hateful, but targeting one group as the source of all problems qualifies as hateful. Andrew Tate, who was once the most Googled man on Earth in 2021, has gone viral for his negative views towards women, claiming that feminists are the primary reason men are suffering.
This narrative undermines other significant factors, such as fatherlessness. Figures like Andrew Tate have negatively influenced many young men, creating a generation of angry and resentful individuals who refuse to take responsibility for some of the problems in their lives, instead placing blame on women. The seriousness of this issue is evident in cases like the Roger Elliot story. In 2014, Elliot went on a killing spree after expressing bitterness about being rejected by women. While it is true that the feminist movement has become radicalized in some cases with “men-bashing,” such incidents also help explain why some women might become radical and demonize men.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the absence of fathers and the search for father figures, especially among young males, is a serious challenge that needs attention. Many young males are inadequately exposed to fathers or father-like figures. It throws a significant number of them into hopelessness and poor judgment. The lack of strong societal institutions, including religion, that once provided moral authority is also critical. There is a need to reinstate order by focusing on the current state of young men in households and communities. This challenge is not merely an individual issue—the societal order and equilibrium are also at stake if this issue is not addressed urgently.
S.M.
Photo: Pexels – Miguel Á. Padriñán