The Crisis of Men in America

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/25/opinion/the-crisis-of-men-in-america.html

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The nearly 1,000 responses to my recent article on the crisis of men offered a searing portrait of economic dislocation and a torrent of prescriptions.

New Deal-style programs to put the legions of people without higher educations to work in better-paying jobs. A new emphasis on vocational training. The revival of unions. Curbs on trade. A redefinition of masculinity.

Along with prescriptions came invective and hopelessness. Many who responded, blue and white collar alike, had no faith in corporate or political elites. It is a formidable to-do list for a would-be President Hillary Clinton. Below are some of the comments, edited and condensed for clarity.

Daniel, a high school dropout, used his 25 years as a security guard to educate himself but despairs that anyone will make use of his intelligence.

M. L. Chadwick called for a new public works agency, such as was created during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal to provide jobs.

Eugene called for strengthening unions.

Halginsberg criticized the trade deals — the North American Free Trade Agreement signed by President Bill Clinton; the most favored nation status for China, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership backed by President Obama — now under fire from both the left and the right.

John saw condescension and mockery at the hands of the cultural elite:

Januarium recounted a classic American dream and what happens when it no longer applies.

Zahir was pessimistic that Hillary Clinton would help American men.

John has done what economists advised and taken a “pink collar” job but earns less than his parents.

Jean admires the jobless she teaches in community college.

Madeline Conant called attention to the plight of black men.

Bill Appledorf was laid off twice, in 1991 and 2000.

Alan Haigh called for a focus on trade schools.

John Gormley focused on mass incarceration.

Jonathan proposed rethinking our ideas of masculinity.