From academic and athletic expectations to social media’s portrayal of young men, teen boys today are facing a minefield of pressures. Constantly exposed to idealized images of what it means to “be a man,” including unhealthy and often dangerous messages about success and masculinity from a rising group of influencers called Manfluencers, teen boys have a lot to navigate.
As parents, how can we best support our teen boys amid the pressures they face? Popular parenting site SheKnows recently tackled this question with the launch of its Inside the Lives of Teen Boys fall issue, the culmination of a new editorial series called ‘Be a Man,’ studying the role of masculinity in the lives of Gen Z boys.
SheKnows spoke with focus groups of more than 30 teen boys aged 14-20 via in-person interviews and surveys. The special issue features first-person articles written by teens who are part of the site’s Gen Z Council plus video interviews, all paired with insights from experts and thought leaders Scott Galloway, Richard V. Reeves, and Ruth Whippman.
“From the mental health epidemic to loneliness to the onslaught of social media, we know that teen boys are facing incredible challenges,” says Erika Janes, Editor-in-Chief of SheKnows. “Our Be a Man study aims to understand these issues by talking directly with the boys, as well as thought leaders, to provide parents with actionable insights for raising boys today.”
The Be a Man project focuses on the mental health of teen boys as well as what it means to “be a man” amid the challenges of social media, peer pressure, and friendship dynamics.
One thing is abundantly clear and that’s the need for positive male mentorship for teen boys. “The real expression of masculinity is not just about being strong for yourself; it’s about reaching out to help the next generation of boys,” says Galloway, one of the experts involved with the project. If boys don’t find safe spaces for conversations about their experiences, they may turn to online sources for guidance—often with less-than-ideal outcomes, Reeves says
Adds Whippman: “I really believe that advocating for boys and men is advocating for girls and women. These are not in competition with each other.”
Highlights in the SheKnows special issue include:
- I’m a Teen Boy & Here’s Why I See My Peers Moving to the Political Right
- Snapstreaks, Half-Swipes & Ghost Mode: How Snapchat Is Changing the Way Teens Communicate
- Loneliness Is on the Rise, and Teen Boys Are Feeling It. Here Are Ways Parents Can Help
- We Played a ‘Feminine or Masculine’ Word Game with Teens & Got a Fascinating Glimpse Into Gen Z’s View of Gender Norms
- ‘I Felt Overwhelmed’: Teen Boys Are Feeling the Pressure of, Basically, Everything
- Is Conservatism the New Counterculture for Gen Z Boys?
- Teen Boys Are Spending So Much Time on Their Phones, Even They’re Surprised
- Beauty & the Boys: The Truth About TikTok Trends & What Teen Boys Are Really Buying
Read More:
What Parents of Teens Need to Know About Online Gambling and Sports Gaming
Are Your Kids Phone-Obsessed? Here’s How to Reduce Screen Time
New Jersey is Suing Tik Tok- Here’s How It’s Affecting Your Kids
