A sweeping body of recent research from the United States is sounding the alarm: boys and young men are increasingly struggling, not only in their education but also in their mental health and transitions into adulthood. While girls and young women surge ahead in academic achievement and social maturity, many young males are reporting feelings of being undervalued and adrift. These challenges, documented in a comprehensive analysis published in The New York Times, reflect a significant gender gap with implications that extend far beyond U.S. borders—including Thailand, where similar trends have emerged in recent years (nytimes.com).
The latest American research underscores a phenomenon that has begun sparking concern around the globe: the educational gender gap has not merely narrowed, but inverts in multiple settings, with females now outpacing males on a wide variety of academic and wellbeing metrics (wikipedia.org). For Thai parents and educators, the significance is clear—ensuring that boys and young men are not left behind holds major relevance in local classrooms, universities, and workplaces. As the nation strives to achieve high human capital and inclusive development, understanding and addressing these gendered trends is crucial.
The U.S. data show boys enter kindergarten already lagging behind girls, both in academic readiness and behavior. This early gap persists and often widens throughout education: girls consistently outperform boys in reading and earn higher grade point averages. By the end of secondary school, just 83% of boys graduate on time compared to 89% of girls, according to a Brookings Institution analysis (nytimes.com). Although boys generally perform comparatively well—or better—in math, the overarching educational environment is now seen as more conducive to female success. According to the president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, “The educational system is not as boy-friendly as it could and should be.”
Beyond grades and graduation rates, mental health disparities are also pronounced. Around 28% of American boys ages 3 to 17 have a diagnosable mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental issue—higher than the 23% figure for girls. Notably, the suicide rate for young men ages 15 to 24 doubled from 1968 to 2023; last year, it was more than four times higher than the rate among young women. Experts warn that these trends are governed in part by social expectations that boys remain stoic, leading many to internalize or act out distress rather than seek help. As quoted by a professor and founder of a leading U.S. men’s center, “The data is clear—men aren’t super healthy. I don’t know any men my age or younger who don’t know someone who died by suicide.”
A third—and increasingly visible—challenge concerns the transition into adulthood. Today, 19% of American men aged 25 to 34 still live with their parents, up from 14% in 1983. Fewer men are forming romantic partnerships, and the share of young men in the workforce has declined steadily as industries once dominated by males, such as manual labor, have been replaced by service-oriented professions where women excel. In contrast, women’s workforce participation has risen sharply.
Why does this matter for Thailand? Research from Thai universities, policymakers, and organizations like UNESCO Thailand have mirrored many of the same gender trends observed in the West. For years, Thai girls have outperformed boys in basic education. National data show a higher proportion of girls not only completing secondary education but also enrolling in tertiary and university studies. In some regions, especially among ethnic minorities and rural populations, school dropout rates for boys are especially high (unesco.org). Despite Thailand’s cultural traditions of male leadership, the academic and social trajectories of young men are increasingly at risk—a reality with significant implications for the country’s long-term prosperity and wellbeing.
Thai experts point to several interlocking causes for boys’ educational challenges. Schools in Thailand, much like in the U.S., are often structured to reward self-discipline, verbal skills, and social cooperation—areas where girls, on average, mature earlier. Boys, who frequently develop these skills later, can quickly find themselves labeled as “problem students.” The Ministry of Education’s own studies have identified that boys are more prone to absenteeism, behavioral issues, and underperformance in national exams, particularly in Thai language and English, echoing an international pattern (hepi.ac.uk PDF). Additionally, there are concerns about a lack of male role models in early education, as most Thai teachers at the primary level are women.
Mental health outcomes also present worrying trends: Thai boys are more likely than girls to under-report stress and depression, according to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Rigid gender expectations, such as the need to appear strong or unemotional, deter many young men from seeking help. Rising rates of gaming addiction and online risk behaviors, which disproportionately affect boys, have prompted policymakers to recommend more targeted interventions in schools (ifstudies.org).
There are important cultural factors at play as well. In Thai culture, the concept of “phu chai” (manhood) often emphasizes stoicism and toughness, sometimes discouraging boys from expressing vulnerability or emotional distress. This dynamic may contribute to their reluctance to seek academic or psychological support. In northern Thailand, traditional bonds to agriculture can incentivize early school leaving for boys, while urban boys may disengage due to a mismatch between school environments and personal identity.
Globally, the reversal of the gender gap in education has prompted robust debate. Some advocate for more “boy-friendly” schools—those that embrace hands-on learning, flexible discipline, and more male educators. Others warn against diverting resources away from girls, who still face gender-based barriers in many parts of the world. In Thailand, stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, universities, and local nonprofits are increasingly calling for gender-sensitive reforms: specialized mentorship programs for boys, expanded guidance counseling, increased male teacher training, and improvements in mental health services for young men.
Looking forward, without decisive action, the gender divide may have significant social and economic consequences for Thailand. Young men who lag in education are at elevated risk of unemployment, substance abuse, criminal involvement, and poor long-term health. As the nation seeks to build an innovation-driven economy, a widening skills gap could undermine competitiveness and social cohesion.
For Thai parents, educators, and policymakers, the lesson is clear: acknowledge the challenges facing boys and young men, and act early. Strategies may include supporting boys’ literacy and emotional skills from kindergarten, deploying early interventions for at-risk students, expanding non-academic pathways, and, crucially, destigmatizing mental health support for young males. As Thailand modernizes its education system, applying a gender lens—one that recognizes both girls’ advances and boys’ setbacks—will be essential for building a more equitable and resilient future.
For further insight into these trends, readers can explore the original analysis by The New York Times (nytimes.com), background on the educational gender gap (wikipedia.org), and UK-focused research from the Higher Education Policy Institute (hepi.ac.uk PDF). Practical resources are available for Thai educators through UNESCO and the Ministry of Education. By coming together to address these issues, Thailand can ensure that no student—regardless of gender—is left behind.