Books: Listening to “Of Boys and Men” by Richard V. Reeves
Posted By RichC on July 14, 2023
While waiting on a copy of the 2022 “Of Boys and Men” ebook to become available at my local library (have it on hold), I ended up downloading the audio version 
read by the “British” author Richard V. Reeves (like many Americans, I enjoy the sophisticated accent). A plus for the audio version that even has Brenda is listening a bit too.
So far the author does a great job of highlighting what most of us have seen happening to the once patriarchy structure that has dominated the world since the beginning of time. Most in my generation (especially minorities and women) saw the change that has improved “rights and access” to every aspect of at least the US as a positive, considering “equality for all” is fundemental to democracy and freedom. As with the best of intentions, there are unintended consequences … particularly for today’s “boys and men.”
The author is not particularly aligned with my politically point of view when it comes to top-down authoritative leadership, at least what I’ve read of his bio and affiliations, but there isn’t much in his book that does more than point out what is obvious to me and most of society with an openmind. If he attempts to solve the “problem” … I’m am not to that point of the book just yet.
My point is that “biological males” are struggling to find their place in school and college, the workplace, or increasingly in life … and how to deal with their “toxic masculinity” (cough, cough) … in today’s divided society. It is making it more difficult for them to finding success and happiness. If you at least notice this, then you might find this book thought-provoking. If you are a parent of young boys, or of daughters who you want to see in a positive balanced relationships, I think this is might be an enlightening book.
A compelling, well-researched book that calls attention to the struggles of boys and men in today’s post-feminist US society. Though Reeves claims that he “abstains” from the culture wars, he actually leans hard into them here, helpfully so. He admonishes the cultural left for ignoring the plight of boys and promoting the harmful idea of “toxic masculinity.” He symmetrically admonishes the cultural right for providing an outlet for lost boys and men that is largely backward looking and ultimately anti-women’s progress. He rightly and usefully promotes a center way – one that acknowledges biological differences between the sexes, names the struggles facing boys and men, and works to create a positive, modern script and path for boys, men, and fathers. Kudos to Reeves on an excellent and necessary book!
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