Young Men Today

by Mitchel Plaisted

Last year, God put me in contact with a group of guys about a generation older than I am. The thing that brought me into the group was their desire to find a way to help young men become who God created them to be. Lots of the young men they have encountered seem aimless and lack a clear mission or direction. Instead of writing the younger generations off as lazy or incompetent, they decided to try to figure out what they could do to help.

THE PROBLEM

I have been leading youth ministries for well over a decade. From what I have experienced, young men do not see a place for themselves in civilization. Most of them are in one of two categories. Those who have little to no hope for their future and those who are trying to reshape the world. The extremes of both groups are often angry about the way things are today. The “Red Pill Movement” and “Incels” are some examples of these extremes. Another would be the honoring of figures like Luigi Mangione, who is the chief suspect in the murder of a CEO. However, the feeling is not limited to the extremes.

I have found that this sentiment is not isolated to the angry extremes. I think that is because there are some genuine reasons for it. One would be that the number of men attending college is going down. Another example is the change of the “Boy Scouts” to “Scouting America.” It would seem that boys are no longer allowed to have their own spaces.

These feelings have contributed to a growing number of men not wanting to work or contribute in a meaningful way. Although they are not the only factor, I have found them to be a major one. As our nation is more and more filled with men who are not employed or underemployed, family creation becomes harder. Men are being left behind by educational institutions and told that they are toxic for being men. Interestingly, young men’s political views have remained largely the same. However, it’s becoming harder to find young women who aren’t liberal or “woke.” A lot of these factors are contributing to young men giving up on dating and marriage. Young men increasingly believe they have no hope for a solid family.

The rise of men who cannot find a place also creates problems for institutions like the military. We have had a bump in recruiting over the last few months. In the years before that, the armed forces have regularly missed recruiting goals.

At the end of the day, I believe our civilization has forgotten how to let boys become men. Most of the institutions I encounter are not okay with men being men. I am not saying that we should let men be evil; I am saying that we should encourage good and capable men and give them a place in our civilization.

WHAT IS A GOOD MAN?

I’m not a fan of victim culture. I dislike it when any group, whether men or women, primarily focuses on their challenges. My goal is not to focus on the hardships. Rather, it is to offer help and solutions. However, often part of offering solutions is to acknowledge that a problem exists. This is not to say that the problems are the rest of the world’s fault and that we must “save the young men.” In fact, the young men themselves are in the best position to solve the problems they face. There are things we can all do to help. But, at the end of the day, civilization needs them to become who they were born to be.

Although the focus of this article is men, in the future I may also write about young women. I do acknowledge that women are also facing a lot of hardships. I will not attempt to list them all here. However, one of the many issues facing young women is the lack of good men.

So how are young men forged into good men? This would seem to be in the best interest of all. There are lots of ways to define what a good man is. However, there are three elements of a good man that I want to talk about here.

1. LEADERSHIP

One of the foundational values of our current civilization is chivalry. Chivalry is something that is required of a good man. Men are supposed to protect and provide for women. Not to control them or boss them around. Rather, it is because women are valuable, worth protecting and providing for.

These days, many women say men shouldn’t hold the door for them. They feel strong and capable of doing it themselves. My response to this would be fair enough, but you should not have to open the door, even if you can. There should be men who are willing and able to do it for you.

Men were built to protect and provide for their families. Today, technological advances make that fact less obvious than in the past. However, if we forsake that reality, civilization will fall. If we do not have a culture where the men are encouraged to be chivalrous, we will have weak and selfish men. If we have weak and selfish men, we will have no one to stand on the wall and watch over the rest of us while we sleep. If there is not anyone watching over us, the home we know will be destroyed. This could be from within or without. Either way, we need men who are willing to stand in the gap and make sure that does not happen.

Opening the door for a woman is a simple way of training a man that he is not on this earth for sex, status, money, or power. Rather, he is to lead as Jesus led. He is to be a servant leader. Willing to wash the feet of others. Willing to die to make sure they are whole. Willing to . . . open the door. Not just as an act but also as a promise. A promise that when the day comes, he will be there between the least of these and that which seeks to destroy them. Regardless if the threat be physical or spiritual.

If you are a young man, you should seek to be a leader. Not in a controlling or egotistical way. Rather in a good and true way with humility. Leading as Jesus leads us. Being a good shepherd that not only leads the sheep but is willing to give his life up for them. Regardless of whether the rest of the world acknowledges you or thanks you. The world needs you. The world needs Godly leaders. Seek to lead not for your own glory but rather in humility. Our God sees you. Seek to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

2. CAPABILITY

I have been referencing civilization a lot. There are both good and bad things about our current civilization. I would propose that all the good that can be found in it stems from Jesus. He is the one who changes the world for good. It is because of His teachings that slavery was abolished. His treatment of women elevated them to a place of honor and respect. His example showed that you can respect earthly leaders while putting God first. Jesus changed the world.

Jesus is gentle and wise; however, He is also brave and powerful. He cleared out the temple with a whip. He was willing to face unimaginable hardship to pursue His bride. He has conquered death. He will come again in power. We are safe because of what Jesus has done, but He is not a “safe man.” He is not tame. He is dangerous. He is also good. It is because He is both dangerous and good that we are safe with Him. Jesus is capable. Likewise, we should seek to create young men who are capable, being both dangerous and good.

If you are a young man, you should seek to be capable. This can mean physical ability. It can also be through other skills. There are a lot of unique ways to be capable. The important thing is that you do not let the hardships or excuses stop you from becoming who God created you to be. Get up and become good at something that matters. It will take time, but it will be worth it.

3. KINGDOM

A young man can run after sex, status, money, or power. It will leave him empty and lost. Those things do not provide meaning or purpose to one’s life. To be fulfilled, a man must have something greater to which he has pledged allegiance. Ideally, he will be in a community of others following that same call. There is a reason God says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” A man’s life needs a community serving that which is Highest.

Jesus unites all who trust in Him. There are no distinctions between cultures in the Kingdom of our Lord. This isn’t due to a lack of earthly differences. It’s because His culture is greater.

The church should give young men opportunities to be bold for Jesus. Encourage men to actively make a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven. Men are used to building community while working. We should find places for them to work alongside each other for our King. Bible studies are okay. Our men should have learning and wisdom. If they can’t join a community to practice what they’ve learned, what’s the point? Men are designed to protect and provide. We need to cultivate communities where men capable of such things are forged.

If you are a young man, surrender your life to our King. Let Him be the one who defines your life. Let Him lead you and provide the purpose for your life. In Him you will not only find a Father who will not fail, but also a community that you can work alongside. Seek to put on the full armor of God and join the ranks of your King.

THERE ARE OTHERS

We do not want young men to be alone. I do not want young men to be alone. My heart and desires are to be part of a community that facilitates the forging of good men. I know I am not alone in this. If you are an older man who has experience following our King, perhaps be intentional about mentoring and enabling those who look up to you. If you are a younger man, look for those who have gone before. Jesus is our ultimate example, but it is good to seek out others who can help you discern how to follow Him today.

If you are not sure where to find a community, feel free to reach out to us. We aim to build up such communities, both through local churches and special events.

To all, I would say you are not alone. We have a great King and High Priest. Not only that, but we have a community of brothers and sisters who are called to the same calling of Christ Jesus. Seek one another out and together learn to follow Him. This world is broken. Do not let it stay that way. Jesus alone is the answer. He desires to use each of you as part of His plan. You are to be co-laborers with Him. Take up the call of God on your life. Join the ranks of your King. Live with a purpose. Live for Jesus!

SOURCES:

The Growing Political Divide Between Young Men and Women

Men and women in the U.S. continue to differ in voter turnout rate, party identification

Why So Many Young Men Are Abandoning College Degrees

Colleges Have a Guy Problem

Why Do Colleges Dislike Men? The Disappearing Collegiate Male

A Clockwork Blue: How the Left Has Come to Excuse Away and Embrace Political Violence

US Army Recruitment Surges to 15-Year High: Hegseth

Boy Scouts of America Is Rebranding. Here’s Why They Will Be Named Scouting America

Rising Number of Men Don’t Want to Work