Men face calls to volunteer as coaches, mentors, and youth club leaders to address the growing shortage of male role models for boys. This absence contributes to widespread unhappiness among young males and rising interest in the “manosphere,” an online space rife with misogynistic content, reveals a recent analysis from the Centre for Social Justice.
Business Leader Highlights Volunteer Gap
John Roberts, founder and chief executive of online retail giant AO World, supports these findings. He notes, “A consistent message from organisations was how difficult it is to get people involved: as coaches, mentors and volunteers. Polling found just one in 20 men over age 45 are currently involved in any sports club, dropping considerably lower in some parts of the country.”
Roberts adds, “This report is a clarion call for more men to get involved to provide the role models thousands of lost boys and young men are desperately crying out for.”
Sharp Drop in Boys’ Happiness Levels
Recent data shows a steep decline in well-being for boys aged 10 to 15, with only one in four reporting they feel “completely happy” with life—down from one in three 15 years ago.
Consultations with 100 small charities supporting youth underscore the critical role of male figures. These groups highlight unique challenges for boys today, such as a crisis of masculinity, struggles to define personal values, and widespread fatherlessness. Notably, more young boys now grow up with a smartphone than a father figure at home.
Limited participation in outdoor activities further worsens the issue, as these experiences help boys build emotional resilience through natural setbacks and interactions with role models.
Youth Services in Decline
Youth services have shrunk significantly, with 1,000 fewer youth clubs operating today compared to 15 years ago. The number of youth workers has also plummeted by over one-third, leaving just 1,662 nationwide.
Edward Davies, Director of Research at the Centre for Social Justice, states, “All the current concern around malign online influences and the manosphere rings hollow if we do not offer an alternative. Boys need a roadmap to becoming a man and if they don’t see it in their lives we cannot be surprised if they look elsewhere.”
