“As an activist in the women’s movement, I’m proud of expanding life choices for our daughters But no one did the same for our sons.” — Best-selling author Gail Sheehy

ENDING THE BOY CRISIS

The “Boy Crisis” refers to the plummeting academic performance, depression, addiction, and other problems among boys.

Strategies and Solutions:

CHILD LABOR AND HAZARDOUS WORK

  • International Labor Organization: Among all boys ages 5 to 17, 11.2% are in child labor, compared to 7.8% of girls.
  • Child labor is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age:
    • 5-11 years: Boys: 10.9%; Girls: 8.4%
    • 12-14 years: Boys: 11.0%; Girls 7.5%
    • 15-17 years:  Boys: 12.2%; Girls: 6.8%
  • Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of children in child labor. Europe and North America have the lowest prevalent of child labor.
  • Hazardous Work: 79.0 million children are involved in work that directly endangers
    their health, safety, and moral development:

    • Boys: 5.8%
    • Girls: 3.6%

CHILD SOLDIERS

  • According to the 2023 Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (A/78//247):
    • Abducted: 62.1% male
    • Killed or maimed: 73.0% male
    • Child victims of at least one “grave” violation: 74.4% male
  • UN Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

SEXTORTION

UNDERNUTRITION

  • A review of 44 studies conducted in 30 countries around the world found undernutrition — wasting, stunting and underweight — is more likely to affect boys than girls. The authors conclude, “These findings challenge commonly held assumptions within the nutrition community that girls are more likely to be affected by undernutrition.”