Why Young Men Matter More Than Ever

I have a simple and powerful, though controversial, proposition: young men matter. 

Young men are vitally important to the future of the family and our faith. But to understand why my passionate belief is considered so controversial by many in our culture, we have to go back a few years. 

The “Girl Dad” Movement 

Do you remember the rise in popularity of the phrase, “girl dad”? It can be traced back to the late, great basketball player Kobe Bryant. In 2018, he did a now-famous interview where he shared about how much he cherished and valued his three daughters. When asked if he would like to have more children, he responded with “I wish I could have five more girls…I’m a girl dad.” 

Odds are, he probably didn’t know that the phrase “girl dad” would become a full-blown movement. But after his tragic death alongside his daughter, GiGi, the statement “I’m a girl dad” went viral. From hashtags to t-shirts to the launching of non-profit organizations across the country, our society began to more-fully embrace the celebration of girls.  

As the father of three daughters, I’m extremely grateful that our culture has found its voice in declaring the enormous value of girls. However, sadly, signs have emerged since 2020 indicating that our culture has embraced the value of girls at the expense of boys. 

The Crisis of Young Men 

The evidence is undeniable: our boys are struggling. Consider the following statistics from Scott Galloway’s New York Times best-selling book, Notes on Being a Man (1). In it, he states that 15% of men claim to not have even one close friend (2), and that young men are four times more likely to take their lives than young women (3). Since 1980, the number of young men absent from school or struggling with unemployment has tripled (4). These stats are just the tip of the iceberg of a far deeper epidemic. 

We desperately need an ambidextrous movement that knows how to esteem girls on one hand while esteeming boys on the other. Scripture is clear: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” – Psalm 127:3-5 

Changing the Narrative  

Now is the time for the Church to do three important things to rescue young men from their pending demise. I’m convinced that if we act now, there’s still time to change the story from defeat to victory. 

1. Leaders, Name the Moment 

One of the most important roles of a leader is to acknowledge the weight of their current cultural moment with those who look up to them. 

We’re living in the midst of a spiritual revival, especially among Gen Z men. Research confirms that Gen Z men are now coming to church more than any other demographic group. They are searching for answers and open to hearing what the Gospel has to say about the uncertainties of their minds and the longings of their hearts.  

Leaders must warn the Church not to miss this generational moment. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day because they did not know how to discern their spiritual times. In Matthew 16:3, He tells them, “You can interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Leaders must declare out loud the things that have been whispered privately. The quiet revival we’re living through must go public. 

2. Men, Step Up as Mentors 

We need to mobilize older men in the Church to mentor younger men. One of the greatest assets of any community is the wisdom of those who have a lifetime of experience under their belts. Their stories provide key survival information for the generations that are coming behind them. Regretfully, our society often devalues older generations, resulting in younger men who miss out on practical guidance and wise perspectives. The Church can’t afford to make this mistake. 

Our pews are filled with older men who’ve been married for decades, raised children, managed careers, owned homes, formed lifelong friendships, planned for retirement, and (most importantly) learned the art of walking with God and accomplishing much in service to Jesus. If we want to raise up a generation of young men who have the skills to navigate the major seasons, choices, and opportunities that life will bring their way, we must take up the mantle of mentorship.  

Practically, this call to mentorship means that the ministry of fatherhood is desperately needed. Fathers are the MVPs in their son’s lives. Their words carry far more weight than any peer or social media influencer ever could. Fathers are influential in defining the purpose, image, and identity of their sons, which is why we must convince fathers to value investment in their sons as one of the greatest ways they can impact the world.  

Whether you’re a father or not, every man must see the call for mentorship as an all-hands-on-deck moment. Single men and empty nesters also have an enormously significant role to play. These groups of men have the valuable commodity of time to set up regular rhythms of discipleship that young men are desperately desiring.  

This kind of consistent mentorship is vital for spiritual formation and can build relationships that result in invitations to corporate worship, conversations about baptism and communion, instruction surrounding prayer and Scripture, and discussions around the heart issues that so many young men face. 

3. Church, Build Your Tool Kit 

Finally, the Church needs tools for discipling young men. This includes resources like small group curriculum, book studies, and Christ-centered online content. Many older men have the desire to mentor but lack the tools needed to guide young men through Scripture in a way that resonates with their needs. 

A well-structured, simple-to-use, biblically grounded tool is like a security blanket. Over the years, I’ve found books like the Every Man a Warrior set, The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz, and Wild at Heart by John Eldredge to be tremendously helpful. These materials will provide guidance and bolster the confidence of those within the Church who have the motivation to make a difference. 

REFERENCES: 

1. Galloway, S. (2025). Notes on being a man. Gallery UK. 
2. Cox, Daniel A., and Kelsey Eyre Hammond. “American Men Suffer a Friendship Recession.” Survey Center on American Life, 7 Apr. 2022, http://www.americansurveycenter.org/commentary/american-men-suffer-a-friendship-recession/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Suicide Data and Statistics.” CDC, 26 Mar. 2025, http://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html 
4. Galloway, Scott. “Notes on Being a Man.” No Mercy / No Malice, 7 Nov. 2025, http://www.profgalloway.com/notes-on-being-a-man/