Fatherlessness is the crisis that will destroy our nation or be the great challenge we conquer. Previous American generations fought slavery and world wars but our battle is to restore men as the key building block of families. If our nation still exists in 100 years, our great-grandchildren won’t trace cultural progress to scientific discoveries, better criminal justice or solving international crises. They will celebrate renewed commitment and maturity at the family level.

Broken marriages lead to a cycle of poor child rearing that result in future relationship failures that harm women and children. Our culture needs a massive shift on multiple levels including religion, media, education and government policy, calling men to maturity and away from self-indulgence. Mature masculinity is defined by long lasting commitment and self-discipline, not massive muscles, large paychecks or expensive toys.

Perpetual adolescence has been projected as some noble ideal in modern popular culture. There’s no pride at the end of a man’s life for a string of sexual conquests or a large bank account. What we appreciate remembering at someone’s funeral, often too late, is that the best things are sacrificial priorities. Doing things you didn’t need to and spending time to serve the weak causes others to praise your strength.

Teen years must include preparation for independent living, not merely coasting on parent’s provision. We’ve increased extended healthcare benefits to children as old as 26 but this seeming benefit has helped dampen the initiative needed to launch adult children into their own households.

While home affordability is part of why many of the next generation find it difficult to move out on their own, dozens of other systemic reasons contribute. Where is sufficient starter home construction? What industries offer young adults stable incomes to eventually afford to buy a starter house? Far too long we’ve steer young people into student loan debt for a higher education that doesn’t result in more pay or even higher chance of employment. We’re inflating currency and diplomas into oblivion. Rather than change course, we keep doubling down on things that don’t work.

Our money is increasingly worthless. We forgot our government can’t print wealth, just currency. And the more currency is printed, the less every dime is worth. Of all the US Dollars in existence, 80% of them were created out of thin air since 2020. Zimbabwe, Venezuela and other countries that have printed themselves into economic collapse are a glimpse of our nation’s near future if we continue accept immature boy behavior at powerful levels and not mature father attitudes.

Two steps are needed, first older men to exhibit maturity and accountability in their own lives. Then reach out through church, sports, clubs, job mentoring and more to boys and young men to train them to prioritize the things that inspire future generations to continue to revere humble masculinity.