Raising Boys in a Patriarchal Society

Hey, freemoms! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s as complex as it is essential: raising boys in a patriarchal society. As we continue to empower women and girls, we also need to think about how to support our boys. How do we raise compassionate, emotionally intelligent sons who can thrive in a society that values equality?

The statistics tell an alarming story. Boys are now 50% more likely than girls to fail basic proficiency in reading. They are also falling behind in school at higher rates and attending college in significantly lower numbers—just 40% of college students today are male. In addition, boys are more likely to face mental health challenges such as depression, and suicide rates among boys and men are nearly four times higher than those of girls and women.

Our guest today is Susie Fishleder, a leadership coach for women who has written extensively on this subject. In her Substack newsletter “Rebel Leaders," Susie dismantles leadership norms rooted in patriarchy, racism, and capitalism to uplift and celebrate women, mothers, people of color, and allies in their workplaces and communities.