Why Men Must Mentor!!

Why Men Must Mentor Boys.

By Calvin T. Mann

Mentorship is a powerful tool that can help young boys develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in life. Unfortunately, not enough men are stepping up to mentor the next generation of boys. Personally, I have invested over 37 years in mentoring boys. That means that I have seen them grow into men, husbands, fathers, productive members and leaders in our community. Mentoring is not just about what we do today, it is incumbent upon us to also guide boys in ways that lead them toward a healthy future. In this article, we will explore why men must mentor boys and include a few statistics and quotes from men who support mentorship. I will also share how suicide can be prevented when a boy has his father or healthy male model in his life. First and foremost, male mentors can provide young boys with positive role models to look up to. According to a study conducted by the Search Institute, young people who have mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 46% less likely to use drugs, and 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol. By serving as positive role models, male mentors can help boys make better choices and avoid negative behaviors. As former US President Barack Obama said, "The only way we can change the world is to invest in young people, and that starts with mentorship."

Obama himself is a strong advocate for mentorship and has spoken publicly about the importance of men mentoring boys. In addition to providing positive role models, male mentors can also help boys develop important life skills.

This is particularly important for boys who may not have positive male role models and/or healthy fathers in their lives. According to a study by Big Brothers Big Sisters, boys who have mentors are more likely to develop positive relationships with adults, improve their self-confidence, and have better academic performance. Coincidently, often black boys are last selected when seeking mentors making Black men essential to the process. NBA superstar LeBron James is also a strong advocate for mentorship. He once said, "My responsibility to my community is to give back and to empower the next generation to be better than myself." James has mentored numerous young boys throughout his career and has spoken about the positive impact that mentorship can have on young people.

While mentorship is important for all young boys, it is particularly important for Black males who face unique challenges and barriers. Unfortunately, many Black males lack Black male mentors who can provide them with the support and guidance they need. This is due to a variety of factors, including a lack of access to mentors, a shortage of Black male mentors, and historical and systemic barriers that have made it difficult for Black males to succeed. According to a study by the National Mentoring Partnership, only 18% of young people in poverty have a mentor, compared to 45% of those who are not in poverty. Black males are more likely to live in poverty than other groups, which means they may have limited access to mentors.

We need more Black mentors. According to a study by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, only 2% of mentors in formal mentoring programs are Black men, even though Black males make up 6% of the US population. This shortage of Black male mentors make it difficult for Black males to find mentors who can relate to their experiences and provide the guidance and support they need to become more resilient. Historical and systemic barriers have also made it difficult for Black males to succeed and find mentors.

These barriers include discrimination, poverty, lack of access to education and job opportunities, and a lack of positive representation in the media. These barriers can discourage Black males from seeking out mentors. Mentorship is not just about providing positive role models and life skills to young boys. It can also have a significant impact on their mental health, preventing suicide and violence. According to a study by the National Mentoring Partnership, young people who have mentors are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college and 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, but they are also 130% more likely to hold leadership positions and 81% more likely to report participating in extracurricular activities.

These positive activities can help prevent suicide and violence by giving young boys a sense of purpose, belonging, and self-worth.

Basketball legend Magic Johnson is a strong supporter of mentoring and its ability to prevent violence. He once said, "Mentoring is a critical tool in the fight against violence. It provides young people with positive role models, support, and encouragement that can help them make better choices and avoid negative behaviors."

In addition to preventing violence, mentorship can also help prevent suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline study shows that young people who have mentors are less likely to experience feelings of hopelessness and are more likely to seek help when they need it. This is particularly important given the fact that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-24. Actor and activist Michael B. Jordan is a strong advocate for mentorship and its ability to prevent suicide. He once said, "Mentorship is so important because it can save lives. When young people have someone, they can talk to and trust, it can make all the difference in the world."

In conclusion, mentorship is a powerful tool that can help young boys develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in life. By providing positive role models, life skills, mental health support, male mentors can make a significant impact on the next generation. It is critical that men, especially Black men get involved now… all ingredients counts. You matter!

Calvin T. Mann, National Encourager is available for speaking engagements, panel discussions and interviews by reaching out to 313-638-3649 or via email at [email protected].