‘A fatal miscalculation’: masculinity researcher Richard Reeves on why Democrats lost young men

Sun Nov 10 08:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Democrats Missed Opportunity to Win Over Young Men in 2024 Election, Expert Says

**WASHINGTON D.C.** – Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men, argues that the Democrats missed a crucial opportunity to connect with young men in the 2024 election, ultimately contributing to their loss. Despite polls indicating a potential swing towards Donald Trump amongst this demographic, the Democratic campaign focused heavily on women’s issues, neglecting to address the concerns of young men.

Reeves, a policy expert who has studied the struggles of modern men, believes the Democrats should have embraced a more “pro-male” policy agenda and messaging. He points to the fact that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the Democratic ticket, were in a unique position to appeal to men given their backgrounds. Harris, as a woman, wouldn’t be perceived as anti-male, and Walz, a former public school teacher and coach, embodied a traditionally masculine role.

Instead, Reeves says, the Democrats focused on issues like abortion rights, which he argues were not as salient to voters as expected. This, he argues, led to the impression that Democrats were anti-male, while Republicans actively courted this demographic with a “carnival of masculinity,” portraying themselves as the party that understands men’s issues.

Reeves further argues that the Democrats’ failure to address the specific concerns of young men, such as mental health, education, and employment, allowed Republicans to successfully weaponize these issues into grievances. He suggests that Democrats should focus on policies that directly benefit men, such as trade schools, apprenticeships, and manufacturing jobs, instead of relying on guilt or shame tactics.

He cautions against drawing the conclusion that a female candidate will be unsuccessful, highlighting the continued strong support for female candidates amongst young men. Instead, he believes the Democrats need to learn from their mistakes and embrace a more inclusive approach that addresses the needs of all voters.