Helping Disadvantaged Men

The statistics are sobering: more than 23 million children, or 1 out of every 3, live apart from their biological fathers; males are now less likely than females to graduate from high school and to enter and graduate from college; there is long-term decline in the percentage of adult males who have jobs; and only about 60 percent of young minority males have a job. The nation is in a crisis regarding the development and economic productivity of young males, especially disadvantaged males.

On December 5, the Center on Children and Families examined the status and prospects of young disadvantaged males and highlighted intervention programs that have had significant positive impacts on their education and employment. The evidence shows that, with proper funding and implementation, a surprising number of programs could help reduce the problems that afflict disadvantaged young males. Speakers included Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.), chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources, and authors of papers in the new edition of The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, which devoted an entire volume to this topic.

After the discussion, participants took audience questions.

Download presentations and handouts:
Tim Smeeding’s Presentation (PDF) »
Irwin Garfinkel’s Handouts (PDF) »
James J. Kemple’s Handouts (PDF) »
Lawrence M. Mead’s Handouts (PDF) »

Megan Millenky’s Handouts (PDF) »
Ronald B. Mincy’s Handouts (PDF) »

Also, learn more about the report Staying on Course: Three-Year Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation, by Megan Millenky, Dan Bloom, Sara Muller-Ravett and Joseph Broadus at mdrc.org.