Address the crisis of male underachievement

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Every graduation exercise in Jamaica highlights a troubling reality: while more young women are succeeding in higher education, many young men are falling behind. Data from the Caribbean Examinations Council consistently show that females outperform males in both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). If Jamaica is to have a secure social and economic future, we must confront the reasons why so many boys are disengaging from education.

Across many communities, boys are more likely than girls to drop out of school and enter low-skilled work or unemployment. In some homes, economic pressures push young men into the workforce before completing their education. At the same time, many boys grow up without a consistent male role model who provides them with uplifting advice, thus leaving them without guidance during critical developmental years.

Additionally, certain cultural attitudes reinforce the idea that academic achievement is less important for boys, further discouraging persistence in school.

The consequences extend beyond the classroom. When young men lack purpose, mentorship, and opportunities for meaningful advancement, the effects ripple through families, communities, and the broader economy. Education is not merely about individual success; it is essential for building responsible citizens, stable households, and productive leadership.

Addressing this issue requires deliberate action. Government policy should place greater emphasis on mentorship programmes for boys, early academic intervention, and expanded technical and vocational training pathways that provide young men with practical skills and viable careers. Schools and communities must also work together to promote discipline, responsibility, and positive models of masculinity that encourage achievement rather than complacency.

Supporting young men does not diminish the achievements of women, who have problems that affect them as well. Rather, it strengthens society as a whole. Jamaica cannot afford to allow a generation of boys to drift without direction. By investing in their development and holding them to high standards of character and responsibility, we can help ensure we become a stronger country.

JOSHUA BLAKE