Of Boys and Men

This is an important read. Reeves takes a controversial and politically charged topic—the role of men in society today—and succeeds in depicting the key arguments and sensitivities around the main issues. His writing is succinct, balanced, recognizing the need for a middle ground between liberals and conservatives, and practical. Foundational to Reeves's thinking is his willingness to compromise. Per the preface: ‘We can hold two thoughts in our head at once. We can be passionate about women's rights and compassionate towards vulnerable boys and men.’ Equally, in his conclusion, Reeves writes that ‘doing more for boys and men does not require an abandonment of the ideal of gender equality. In fact, it is a natural extension of it. Women's lives have been recast, men's have not. We need to have a positive vision of masculinity for a post-feminist world.’ Practically: get more men into teaching, into jobs beyond STEM (rather HEAL - health, education, admin and literacy), and offer more provision for male childcare. Hard to disagree. Not rated.

By Richard Reeves