
newsSep 23, 202250:08pending
Why America Has a Crisis of Masculinity
About this episode
American men have a problem. They account for less than 40 percent of new college graduates but roughly 70 percent of drug overdose deaths and more than 80 percent of gun violence deaths. As the left has struggled to offer a positive vision of masculinity, male voters have abandoned the Democratic Party at historically high rates. Brookings Institution scholar Richard Reeves, the author of a new book 'Of Boys and Men,' joins the show to ask and answer a number of controversial questions: Why do women out-achieve men throughout education? Why are men dropping out of the labor force? Why can't Democrats win the male vote? And what would a progressive and positive vision of masculinity look like?
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected]. You can find us on TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@plainenglish_.
Host: Derek Thompson
Guest: Richard Reeves
Producer: Devon Manze
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Plain English with Derek Thompson publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Plain English with Derek Thompson

What’s the Point of College?
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 11, 202656:50completed

The New Book That Scares Big Tech
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 8, 202659:01completed

AI Slop Is Breaking the Internet. Can We Save It?
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 1, 202656:08pending

Why Everything Is Going to Keep Getting More Expensive
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Aug 25, 202641:54pending