Young men face a crisis caught between toxic masculinity caricatures and progressive dismissal of their struggles. In a New York Times Opinion podcast, culture editor Nadja Spiegelman explores solutions with authors Ruth Whippman and Frederick Joseph.

Whippman, author of "BoyMom," argues patriarchy harms everyone and advocates moving beyond gendered frameworks toward universal human standards. Joseph, whose "Patriarchy Blues" examines systemic oppression, draws parallels to 2020 racial justice movements.

Joseph describes the current state as "abysmal," citing divisive role models and the commodification of male rage through MMA and manosphere culture. Both authors reject simple answers, emphasizing that liberation requires dismantling systems that restrict authentic emotional expression.

The conversation reveals how young men navigate competing extremes while seeking genuine pathways toward gender equality. Neither caricatured toughness nor enforced silence serves their development, suggesting solutions require systemic rather than individual fixes.