Jonathan Last:

There are some things worth considering on the question of “manhood.”

(1) Putting aside the language of “crisis,” it’s entirely possible that both men and women are facing serious, but different, challenges created by economic, technological, and social change. In fact, it’s more than possible—it’s likely.

Further, it’s likely that men and women are pretty much always facing serious, but different challenges because life is suffering and change is constant. Here is a universal truth: No matter who you are, it is hard to find your place in the world.

(2) To recognize that men (and women) face (separate and different) challenges is not to say that it is a crisis that can be “solved.”

Because the challenges we face today will be different from the challenges our children face 20 years from now.

(3) What we should do—all we can do—is try to understand clearly the nature of the current challenges and try to course-correct where possible, to make it marginally easier for people in their struggle to find their place in the world.

And you accomplish this through honesty and kindness.