Report: Young Hoosier Males Lagging Behind
The Crisis of Young Hoosier Males
Indianapolis has become the center of a growing concern about the challenges faced by young Hoosier males. A recent report from the Sagamore Institute titled “Failure to Launch” highlights the struggles these boys and young men encounter as they transition into adulthood. According to Sagamore Institute President Teresa Lubbers, this issue is not only affecting individuals but also posing a risk to society as a whole.
“It’s not good for society, and it’s not good for boys and young men to be left behind,” said Lubbers. “There was this cliff that young boys were experiencing, and then the implications of that stayed with them throughout their life often, so the failure to launch was really appropriate for what we were learning.”
The study reveals that young boys in Indiana are experiencing stress and anxiety at an early age, which can have long-lasting effects if not addressed. Lubbers pointed out that approximately 80% of suicides in the country involve boys and men, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Mental Health and the Need for Support
Aaron Green, founder of Struggle University, emphasizes the importance of mental health services tailored to young males. He notes that many of these boys lack strong male role models at home, making it even more critical to provide support systems that resonate with their experiences.
“If we know their mental health is declining in young boys, then we need to get mental health services rolling from people who look like them so they feel comfortable,” Green said. “Let’s figure out a way to get more mentors who have lived experience so they can do things that can help us combat these numbers.”
Green also highlights the need for mentors who can relate to the challenges these boys face. He believes that having mentors with similar backgrounds can make a significant difference in helping young males navigate their path.
Academic Challenges and Career Uncertainty
Despite performing well on standardized tests like the SAT, many young Hoosiers are struggling academically. Their Grade Point Averages are declining, and as high school graduation approaches, they often feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty of adulthood.
“There’s something happening late in high school, and we see it with college-going rates, and we’re not just talking about four-year degrees, that’s also credentials beyond high school,” Lubbers explained. “We see it with labor participation rates that have gone down, we’ve seen it with personal wellbeing.”
Green agrees, noting that when high school ends, many teens feel lost and unsure of their next steps.
“When it’s time, when high school is starting to end, it’s like, ‘what am I gonna do?’ and there’s no urgency,” he said. “They’re kind of lost a little bit, and after a while, you kind of sit for a while and you kind of get lost in the shuffle of life. Life can be a very, very difficult journey.”
Social Media and Isolation
The increasing reliance on social media among teen boys is another factor contributing to their struggles. Lubbers points out that this fixation leads to greater isolation and stunts their social maturity.
“There is a greater sense of isolation for young men,” she said. “Some of that, I think, is the result of many of them using social media. We see a reduction in the number of things that young men are doing to engage with others. We’ve seen a decrease in sports, and you see less of that, community hubs. Boys Clubs. Girls Clubs. Sports. They’re more anonymous to us, and so they’re filling those senses of loneliness and isolation in ways that make it more difficult for us to reach them.”
Green, who trains teachers, suggests integrating positive content into cell phones to leverage their influence in education.
“I train teachers,” he said. “And I told them that, if these cell phones are becoming an addicting issue, then we have to figure out how to program positive things into the phones and use them in our teachings because that’s how you kind of leverage that.”
Brain Development and Reentry Challenges
Research indicates that females tend to mature earlier in terms of reasoning and planning abilities compared to males. This developmental gap can leave young males at a disadvantage as they navigate adulthood.
Additionally, the report highlights the lack of support programs for young males exiting the criminal justice system. Green describes this as “double jeopardy.”
“It’s like double jeopardy,” he said. “‘I went to juvenile, I did my time, I got out, and now there’s nothing for me, so I’m obviously gonna go back to what I know.’”
Economic and Social Implications
Lubbers stresses that supporting young males is not only a moral obligation but also essential for the state’s economic health. She argues that there needs to be a direct link between what young people learn and what they do in life.
“There needs to be a direct link between what they’re learning and what they’re doing,” Lubbers said. “So, this focus on work-based learning, apprenticeships, opportunity to have jobs, we don’t have summer jobs like we used to. We don’t want to leave people behind, but from an economic standpoint, for the state’s economy and the workforce needs that we have, we cannot afford to leave boys and men behind.”
Green believes addressing these issues early will lead to a more prosperous and safer Indiana.
“These numbers are going to reduce violence for sure, 1000%,” he said. “If we can figure out a way to reduce these numbers from these boys and men feeling as though they have to do something or make a bad decision to make it, then we will reduce all of the crime numbers for sure. We’re creating leaders. We’re giving them opportunities to live.”
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