As a nation, we rightfully spend lots of time talking about the plights of historically unrepresented and marginalized groups. Make no mistake, that focus is warranted and critical to the United States maintaining its reputation as a melting pot of cultures and identities. It’s at the very core of who we are and who we seek to be.
An unintended byproduct of that focus, however, is that issues impacting men easily slip through the cracks. Because men are seen as a historically privileged group, progressives often find it uncomfortable or awkward to discuss male-centric problems.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that men around the world are shifting hard to the right side of the political spectrum. They simply feel ostracized and unwelcome on the left. And until liberals solve that problem, winning elections will continue to be an uphill battle. President Donald Trump and Republicans want nothing more than for men to continue to see Democrats as toxic and uninterested in their challenges.
In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore is trying to lead the way in winning back the male vote. He should be commended for this. The governor was recently featured in a Washingtonian article highlighting his focus on young men who are experiencing sharp increases in suicide rates and a mass retreat from the workforce.
“It’s unusual for an elected Democrat to publicly speak about the struggles of men, let alone take steps to address them,” the governor told the magazine article’s writer.
Moore correctly told the Washingtonian he doesn’t see this as a “zero-sum issue.” Government can, and must, focus on the needs and struggles of multiple people groups at the same time. That should be the expectation, not the exception.
“I want to be clear: This administration remains steadfast in our support for all Marylanders, regardless of their gender or background,” he said. “I strongly believe our mission to uplift men and boys isn’t in conflict with our values to leave no one behind — it’s in concert with them.”
Let us be blunt: If you’re a Democrat cringing while reading this, you are part of the problem. Focusing on issues impacting men doesn’t mean abandoning your progressive values. It simply means casting a wider net and returning the Democratic Party to the “big tent” coalition it once was. After the 2024 election cycle, that should be a no-brainer.
Ignoring male issues does not make them go away. In fact, it makes them fester and worsen. We already mentioned the male labor participation issue, so let’s dig a little further into that.
A 2018 study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found the decline in labor participation among men was largely driven by diminished demand for “middle-skill workers” due to “technology and globalization.” Given that, it should come as no surprise that President Trump’s vow to bring overseas manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. is appealing to male voters.
Discussing the male “loneliness epidemic” should also not be taboo. A 2021 survey from the American Enterprise Institute highlighted how male social circles have shrunk at a considerably higher rate than female social circles over the past three decades. Men are retreating from social settings and finding solace online. That’s something Republicans have capitalized on.
Likewise, 25-year-old men today are less likely to be financially independent and work full-time than their predecessors in 1980, according to the Pew Research Center. That troubling trend must be reversed and we commend Gov. Moore and all politicians who make it a priority.
The bottom line is this. If men continue to drop out of society and the workforce, the United States is in for a very challenging century ahead. Men, like women, are an extremely important cog in the machine that makes America great. Let’s follow Moore’s lead and give their struggles the attention they deserve.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.