Recent research has found evidence of wide differences in well-being between young men and young women. Boys today earn lower grades in school and have lower literacy rates than their female peers. They are also more likely than girls to be suspended or drop out of high school altogether.
These difficulties often extend into young adulthood, where men are increasingly disengaged from education and employment. Statistics show that they are more likely to live with their parents and live alone than women of the same age. Perhaps of most concern is the current mental health crisis, as suicide rates among young men have increased significantly over the past decade.
Between 2010 and 2023, the suicide rate among men aged 15 to 24 is expected to increase by 26 percent. Currently men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. A multifaceted approach is needed to address these complex issues, and increasing the active participation of male mentors is one potential strategy.
Mentors act as guides who provide advice and assistance regarding schooling, personal relationships, and future plans. Mentoring may occur through formal programs, but it occurs more often through informal social networks. While female mentors provide essential support, same-sex mentors can provide boys with empathy based on shared life experiences.
Previous evidence suggests that boys may receive unique benefits from interacting with male role models who demonstrate positive ways of moving into adulthood. In traditional two-parent families, the father is usually the most accessible male guardian. Social science research has consistently shown that paternal presence is associated with positive educational and behavioral outcomes.
Some studies indicate that these benefits are even more pronounced for sons than daughters. In the absence of the father, other male gurus can help bring about change. Whether they are family members or community figures, working male mentors can improve outcomes for their protégés.
Despite the known benefits, finding sufficient numbers of male volunteers for formal mentoring programs remains a challenge. However, when these matches do form, male mentor-mentee pairs often report stronger and longer-lasting relationships. To understand the current state of this mentorship landscape, researchers sought to measure the presence of male mentors in the lives of contemporary American youth.
To examine this prevalence, the study authors analyzed data from a survey conducted in May 2025. The sample included 1,083 males between the ages of 12 and 21. These participants were drawn from the Rand American Life Panel and Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
To ensure that the group was nationally representative, the researchers used probability sampling methods. He also valued the data for reflecting the demographic diversity of the American youth population. This approach allows generalizations about the broader population of American boys and young men.
Participants answered questions about who they could turn to for help in three specific areas of life: school work, relationships, and planning for the future. For each category, respondents indicated whether they could trust their mother, their father, or another adult. The survey allowed participants to select multiple options when receiving support from more than one source.
If they selected a non-parental adult, they received a follow-up question to specify whether that person was male or female. Using these responses, the researchers determined whether each participant had no mentor, a female mentor, or a male mentor. This distinction allowed detailed comparison of counseling by gender.
The analysis revealed that most boys and young men have at least one adult they can rely on for guidance. Across all three domains, nearly 90 percent or more of respondents reported having access to a mentor. However, a closer look at the data reveals that these supporting figures are often women.
In terms of schoolwork, 78 percent of boys reported that they had a female mentor. In contrast, only 62 percent reported having a male mentor for academic support. This disparity likely reflects the composition of the education workforce, which is dominated by female teachers.
A similar pattern emerged with respect to personal relationships, including friendships. Nearly 78 percent of respondents would turn to a woman for relationship advice. In contrast, only 57 percent expressed that they could turn to a man for similar support.
This discrepancy leaves a significant portion of young men without a same-sex mentor. About 38 percent of the boys surveyed had no adult male to help them with school work. Similarly, 43 percent lacked an adult male to turn to for advice regarding friendship or relationship problems.
The gap was slightly smaller regarding future plans, yet a large minority still lacked male guidance. One in four boys reported that they did not have an adult male to help them achieve their long-term goals. This indicates that although general support is available, gender-specific guidance is less common.
The study also identified a strong relationship between household income and access to male counselling. The researchers analyzed data across three income levels: less than $50,000, $50,000 to $99,000, and $100,000 or more. Boys from families facing economic challenges were significantly less likely to have a male mentor than those from wealthier families.
For example, less than half of the boys in the lowest income group had a male mentor for school work. Notably, only 41 percent of boys from families with incomes under $50,000 had a male mentor in this area. In contrast, 72 percent of boys from families earning $100,000 or more reported that they had a male mentor for schoolwork.
A similar trend emerged regarding relationship advice. Only 45 percent of boys in the lowest income group had a male counselor for relationships. This compares with 67 percent of boys in the highest income group.
These findings are consistent with broader demographic patterns regarding family structure. Female-headed households are more likely to have low income than married-couple households. As a result, boys in low-income households are less likely to have a father, reducing their immediate access to a male mentor.
Inequality was also evident in planning for the future. Only 54 percent of low-income boys had a male mentor for future planning. Meanwhile, 84 percent of their higher-income peers had access to such guidance.
Although this report provides a clear snapshot of mentorship prevalence, it relies on self-reported data from participants. The survey identifies the presence of these adults but does not measure the quality or depth of mentoring relationships. It is possible that some reported mentors providing more substantial support than others.
Future research could examine how the quality of these interactions varies between male and female mentors. It would be beneficial to understand whether the gender of the mentor influences specific behavioral outcomes. Additionally, further study could explore the specific barriers that prevent men from volunteering as chaperones.
The research report, “The Limited Presence of Male Mentors in the Lives of Boys and Young Men,” was written by Robert Bozik and Jenny W. Wenger.
<a href