Changing the game for young men
This post was written by Mark A King. You can follow him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkingbravo/I recently watched the Gareth Southgate documentary ‘Changing the game for young men’ which explores the difficulties young men face growing up today - especially how the school system is preparing them less well for an ever more complex and challenging world. This is not to say that young women face their own unique challenges but this spotlight is on young men.
Due to differences in the way their brains develop, (they mature later emotionally and are more prone to risk taking) and with the school system arguably favouring girls more, young men are falling behind, struggling with their identity and failing to get on the bottom ladder of the job market.
There's been a lot said recently on this platform and in the news about the NEET population (not in employment, education, or training) now exceeding a million 16-24 year olds, with 60% having never worked, yet 84% express that they want to.
The documentary takes us to Middlesborough where Southgate played and cut his teeth as a manager. Middlesborough’s NEET population is significantly higher than the rest of the country, having never fully recovered from the steel plant closure over a decade ago. We meet some young men whose prospects appear bleak.
Gareth also takes us inside prisons and schools to lift the lid further on the issue. There are several forces at work
=> Repeated rejections in job applications affects the self-esteem of even the most resilient.
=> Many young men today do not have a mentor, especially a male one, and their window into the world is often through a screen or their peers.
=> Social media presents a distorted and polished picture of a few very 'successful' people whose success is only measured by wealth and influence.
As a result, young men are vulnerable and ever more susceptible to making poor choices, such as being groomed into drug crime.
We see the value of volunteering as a way of getting out and doing something purposeful, learning new skills, demonstrating your strengths and meeting people who may ultimately open doors for you.
I know a man with an even better solution - he is giving young men and women a chance to learn barista skills alongside customer service and entrepreneurship as he takes them under his wing in his coffee van and splits his profits with them.
Tim Parkhouse, who is an upcoming guest on the 10 Revolutions podcast has a strong vision about how schools can be more entrepreneurial, and become the heart of the community. Such change require courage but the results could be transformational.
You can hear about Tim's story on our podcast #10Revolutions where we talk to smart people like Tim who are quietly shifting the needle with their passion and energy. Tim’s episode drops on 16th July.
Tim has played his part in turning around the lives of many young people whom the education system did not suit, many of whom have vibrant personalities, which he helped unlock.
Amazing what you can achieve when you give young people a sense of purpose, some autonomy and the opportunity to master a skill.
They thrive.
You can check out the first 3 episodes of the #10Revolutions podcast here - https://linktr.ee/10R
This post was written by Mark A King. You can follow him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkingbravo/
