What's really keeping millions of men out of jobs?
Probably not what you think. A newsletter about boys, men and what happens when a lightning storm disrupts your talk radio appearance.
Hey Optimists!
Robin here. So, I found this in my phone from when Kathryn was on the radio here in L.A. a few weeks ago. You’ll get the whole backstory on this week’s episode of the podcast. But consider this proof that I really did think that Kathryn did a spectacular talk radio mic drop.
But this was the inspiration for our latest episode.
On the podcast: Boys, boys, boys…
And men. Really, mostly young men.
For the last several years, but particularly since the 2024 election, I’ve felt bombarded by articles about how men are supposedly falling behind educationally and (by implication) economically. I’d link to them all but it would give me tendonitis.
There are a few things that are frustrating about the level of this conversation. The first is that some of the trends that seem so worrying — like women going to college at higher rates than men — aren’t anything new. Women surpassed men in attaining bachelor’s degrees when “Dallas” was the top-rated show on television. It also has a tendency to erase women from conversations about larger labor market problems. A shortage of high-quality middle-wage jobs isn’t a men’s problem; it’s an American worker problem.
As you’ll see in this video excerpt, many of these reports and think pieces also neglect to tease out what actually affects men disproportionately, and at such great numbers that it’s keeping them out of the labor market.
Get your weekly dose of optimism, “How to Actually Help Young Men Struggling in Our Economy,” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Terms & Conditions Challenge
My executive order this week was a mandatory retirement age for public officials. The question we left listeners with is this: If we call a politician whose successor has already been elected a “lame duck,” what would we call one who is facing a mandatory retirement?
Ideas? Email us at optimist.economy@gmail.com
On the Substack
I’m just going to confess that the lack of enthusiasm for my cinnamon labeling law is a little disappointing. But if you do want to vote yay or nay on some executive orders, the polls are open right here:
What We’re Absorbing
Inflation Up or Down? What About Jobs? The Agency That Should Know Is on the Rocks — Wall Street Journal on the struggles of the BLS beyond the firing of the commissioner.
The economy is cracking. This trend is most alarming. — Washington Post columnist Heather Long on how the U.S. economy is growing ever more reliant on top earners.
U.S. Inflation Report Shows Effects of Trump’s Tariffs — New York Times on underlying inflation in July showing prices increasing at the fastest annual pace in five months, a sign that businesses are passing along tariff-related costs to customers.
What happens next in the US court battle over Trump's tariffs? — Reuters explains what’s happened so far in the case against using emergency presidential powers to impose tariffs, and why the case is likely headed to the Supreme Court.
Finally…
If you have a love/hate relationship with Substack, hey, we see you. We understand you. We will also happily welcome you to the community of Optimists who are supporting this podcast on these other payment services.
