Much of the criticism and comment about Louis Theroux’s documentary “Inside the Manosphere” was the lack of investigation into the "why" and "how" some young men were being drawn to the toxic male influencers.
The latest ONS unemployment figures (Nov-Jan 26) are likely to be a strong reason.
- The numbers and rate of young male unemployment (18-24) is at a 11-12 year high (highest since April-Jun 2014) with a rate of 373,000 in number and a rate of 17.2% (ONS).
- The number of young men in that age group who have been unemployed for longer than a year is 90,000. Numbers not consistently seen since 2015 (ONS).
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Research continues to show that work gives all men, including young men, a sense of identity, belonging, independence, economic stability and…hope.
The Government has made recent announcements on improving the vocational education sector and for supporting employers on taking on young people. It is vital they work…else the “why” and the “how” (hattip to Mike Nicholson) become ever obvious and ever urgent.
Less focus on talking about masculinity, patriarchy and what it means to be a man - more focus on education, skills and jobs.

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