The Problem
Evidence of a crisis amongst our young men is overwhelming.
Men account for 8 out of 10 people cautioned by the police, and nearly 9 out of 10 people found guilty for indictable offences are men. Men are responsible for 97% of burglary and 92% of violence against the person. Two thirds of all male offenders are under 30. Suicide is the second most common cause of death amongst men under 35. To deny that human violence and destructive aggression is predominantly a male phenomenon is to ignore the raw evidence.
Despite tough talk from politicians, the punitive approach is failing. Prisons, overflowing with young men, do not affect rehabilitation. Unparalleled levels of government investment, diversionary and treatment programmes have failed to make any major difference.
The UK now ranks last on international measures for youth wellbeing and social mobility. (See here for the report)
Besides National Service, many occupations (whole industries like mining, shipbuilding and steel production.) that once gave young men a sense of purpose, a chance to bond, a recognised structure and discipline, a place to belong, have been decimated or abolished.
Whatever your political viewpoint, the problem with young men is undeniable and of the greatest detriment to our society. A neglected young male can easily cost the state over £1,000,000 by the time he reaches the age of 40. By that time he will also have left a trail of both emotional and physical damage that will have harmful consequences for his family, the community and society at large.
The Causes
Our society is largely stalled at adolescence. Many adult men relish and prolong adolescence for decades. It’s tempting to blame and punish disaffected youth but a range of adolescent psychopathologies are evident in many adult men across the social spectrum.
Our Solution
How might your life have been different if, when you were a young man uncertain about something you could not begin to explain, or overwhelmed by the power of your own emotion, that there had been older men who would acknowledge your anger and confusion without advice or judgment?
Our Programmes
aBandofBrothers offers a range of programmes that provides training to would be mentors as well as mentees. Information on additional courses and programmes will follow shortly so please revisit soon.
If you feel you can help in any way we can guarantee it’s rewarding work.