Unmasking the Boy Crisis: A Call to Action for Equity, Empathy, and Empowerment
Boys and young men today are facing unprecedented challenges. Whether it's falling behind academically, navigating emotional isolation, or confronting mental health struggles, they are searching for answers in a world that often misunderstands them. At the same time, many adults struggle to know how to help.
At the Ever Forward Club, we see these struggles daily—and we also see resilience, courage, and brilliance waiting to be recognized. As AJ Neberay and Saul Neftali Perez, two Ever Forward youth leaders, powerfully demonstrated when they shared the stage with Richard Reeves at the Common Sense Summit, young men can rise when they are seen, heard, and supported.
Their words, filled with insight and emotional maturity, reminded everyone in that room—and now remind us all—why this work matters now more than ever.
Understanding the Boy Crisis
Educational Challenges
Boys are falling behind in schools not because they are less capable, but because our systems often aren't designed with them in mind. Consider:
Boys are nearly a full grade level behind girls in English across most districts.
Male teacher representation has dropped from 33% to 23%, leaving fewer male role models.
23% of boys are diagnosed with developmental disabilities—twice as many as girls—raising the question: Is the system itself failing boys?
Mental Health Alarms
Perhaps most urgently, the mental health statistics are staggering:
Suicide rates for men are 4 times higher than for women.
Two-thirds of men say no one really knows them well.
15% of young men report having no close friends.
Among Black boys, suicide attempts have increased 73% over recent decades.
Ever Forward Club: A Response Rooted in Connection
Since 2004, the Ever Forward Club has provided safe, mentor-led spaces for young men—especially young men of color—to gather, share, grow, and heal. Whether through our school-based clubs, Taking Off The Mask (TOTM)workshops, or the global #MillionMaskMovement, we help young people take off the emotional "masks" they wear to survive and learn how to thrive.
These masks—often showing "funny," "happy," or "strong" on the front—hide real pain: sadness, fear, anxiety. We’ve collected over 75,000 masks across six continents, each telling a story of hidden truth and a cry for connection.
Breaking the False Dichotomy
Supporting boys and men does not mean ignoring the very real challenges faced by women and girls. Progress is not a zero-sum game. Instead, we must move forward together, championing equity and empathy for all.
We uplift both genders when we build systems that value emotional intelligence, connection, and wholeness over perfection and performance.
The Role of Media and Online Influence
In a world dominated by curated success and filtered perfection, young men often internalize toxic messages about what it means to be “successful” or “strong.” The comparison culture, fueled by social media, leads many to feel like they're never enough.
That’s why we prioritize real-life mentorship, storytelling, and community building. Our young leaders like AJ and Saul embody this shift—they are the role models the world needs.
Solutions and a Path Forward
To truly address the boy crisis, we need a holistic, community-wide approach:
1. Educational Reform
Design boy-friendly learning environments.
Increase male teacher and mentor representation.
Support emotional development alongside academics.
2. Promoting Healthy Masculinity
Encourage emotional vulnerability.
Teach that asking for help is strength, not weakness.
Balance masculine and feminine traits as equally valuable.
3. Community Engagement
Launch mentorship programs with local role models.
Equip educators through trainings like TOTM Training of Trainers.
Offer safe spaces where boys can be honest, supported, and heard.
Why It Matters – and Why Now
When AJ and Saul stood up at the Common Sense Summit, they weren’t just representing themselves. They carried with them the stories of thousands of other young men—warriors in disguise—who are too often unseen.
Their bravery is a beacon: a reminder that healing happens when we create space, listen deeply, and walk with our young people—not ahead of them or behind them, but beside them.
Join the Movement
The #MillionMaskMovement is your invitation to begin. It’s simple, powerful, and transformative. Over 75,000 people have already taken the challenge. Are you next?
🌀 Make your own mask and explore what’s behind it: millionmask.org
🧡 Join our community of support and learning: Advocates for Young Men
📬 Stay connected to stories, tools, and events: Join our newsletter
Together, let’s create a world where all young people—especially boys and young men—are seen, heard, and empowered to rise.