Recognize new struggles facing men

The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, December 7th as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.

By: Tanoa Viernes, Grade 11, Ka‘u High School

For decades, the concept of patriarchy has defined our social and political discourse, framing the

world as one where men inherently hold the advantage and women are systemically disadvantaged. This

narrative, which has played a powerful role in achieving gender equity, remains deeply entrenched in

public consciousness.

Yet, as the 21st century unfolds, the data tells a more complex reality. In several crucial areas,

boys and men are falling behind, prompting a necessary re-examination of where the actual advantages lie

today.

The clearest sign of this shift shows up in education. Historically a male domain, just 37% of men

in the U.S. ages 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree today compared with 47% of women, according to the

Pew Research Center. This demographic change will have significant implications for future economic

and leadership opportunities.

In countries like the UK, Gen Z women who work full-time are earning slightly more on average

than their male counterparts.

Beyond academic and early-career metrics, the data that often goes unacknowledged concerns the

roles men predominantly fill. Despite the narrative of male advantage, men continue to dominate the

fields that involve the greatest physical risk and sacrifice. Men make up the overwhelming majority in

manual labor, construction, and agriculture and other roles that involve physical risk. Men account for a

staggering 91.8% of workplace fatalities in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Though there has been a tremendous effort to correct past disparities — particularly in education

and leadership positions — those efforts have largely overlooked spaces where men still shoulder the

most risk. The essential, high-risk labor that forms the backbone of society remains undervalued and

underappreciated, even as it continues to be indispensable.

The sense that men are losing ground isn’t just a matter of statistics, but has a clear social and

emotional cost. Many young men today lack confidence and are increasingly disconnected from others.

This struggle is exacerbated by a profound societal shift. Traditional, decades-old male identities,

often built on stoicism and the desire to protect and provide, have been systematically critiqued as being

toxic, outdated or economically unviable in the modern world.

However, this deconstruction has created a vacuum. Society has yet to define a viable, respected

and accessible new identity for men, and the alternatives it has offered may fundamentally misunderstand

male nature. Rather than channeling distinctly male strengths toward constructive ends, these models

often discourage them entirely or push men toward an ideal that feels foreign to their instincts.

The pressure for men and boys to be “better” exists, but the resulting blueprints are often too

niche and accessible only to privileged, educated men. The rejection of the past without a viable path

forward lies at the core of men’s anxiety and alienation being observed. It's not just the absence of a new

model, but that the proposed models ask men to suppress rather than redirect their nature.

If masculinity is viewed through the singular lens of power and patriarchy, those who aren't

succeeding, those struggling in school, those working high-risk manual jobs, those who are single fathers

are often left without a positive framework for their identity and contribution.

The issue isn't whether past disparities existed. Instead, the widely accepted narrative of male

dominance masks an emerging reality where boys and young men are struggling in key areas, and where

the essential, sacrificial labor men predominantly perform is increasingly undervalued.

A truly equitable society must move beyond the simple dichotomy of "advantage vs.

disadvantage" and acknowledge the unique challenges and contributions of all its members, including the

men who risk their lives to keep the world running.