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A new research report published by RAND indicates that while most boys and young men in the United States have access to adult mentorship, they frequently lack male guidance figures in critical areas of their lives. The data suggests that for many young males, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, the adults available to assist with schoolwork, relationships, and future planning are predominantly women.
Recent research has found evidence of a widening gap in well-being between young men and young women. Boys today tend to earn lower grades in school and possess lower literacy rates than their female peers. They are also more likely to be suspended or drop out of high school entirely compared to girls.
These difficulties often extend into young adulthood, where men are increasingly disconnected from education and employment. Statistics indicate they are more likely to live with their parents and remain single compared to women of the same age. Perhaps most concerning is the current mental health crisis, as suicide rates among young men have risen significantly over the last decade.
Between 2010 and 2023, suicide rates increased by 26 percent among men between the ages of 15 and 24. Men are currently four times more likely than women to die by suicide. Addressing these complex issues requires a multifaceted approach, and increasing the active involvement of male mentors is one potential strategy.
Mentors serve as guides who offer advice and support regarding schooling, personal relationships, and plans for the future. Mentoring can occur through formal programs, but it happens more frequently through informal social networks. While female mentors provide essential support, same-sex mentors can offer boys empathy grounded in shared lived experiences.
Previous evidence suggests that boys may derive unique benefits from interacting with male role models who demonstrate positive ways to navigate adulthood. In traditional two-parent families, the father is typically the most accessible male mentor. Social science research has consistently shown that paternal presence is associated with positive educational and behavioral outcomes.
Some studies indicate that these benefits are even more pronounced for sons than for daughters. In the absence of a father, other male mentors can help make a difference. Whether they are family members or community figures, engaged male mentors can improve outcomes for their mentees.
Despite the known benefits, finding sufficient numbers of male volunteers remains a challenge for formal mentoring programs. However, when these matches are made, male mentor-mentee pairs often report stronger and longer-lasting relationships. To understand the current state of this mentorship landscape, the researchers sought to quantify the presence of male mentors in the lives of contemporary American youth.
To investigate this prevalence, the study authors analyzed data from a survey fielded in May 2025. The sample consisted of 1,083 males between the ages of 12 and 21. These participants were drawn from the RAND American Life Panel and the Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
The researchers utilized probability sampling methods to ensure the group was nationally representative. They also weighted the data to reflect the demographic diversity of the U.S. youth population. This approach allows for generalizations about the broader population of American boys and young men.
Participants answered questions regarding who they could turn to for help in three specific life domains: schoolwork, relationships, and planning for the future. For each category, respondents indicated if they could rely on their mother, their father, or another adult. The survey allowed participants to select multiple options if they had support from more than one source.
If they selected a non-parent adult, they received a follow-up question to specify whether that person was a man or a woman. Using these responses, the researchers determined whether each participant had any mentor, a female mentor, or a male mentor. This distinction allowed for a detailed comparison of mentorship across gender lines.
The analysis revealed that the vast majority of boys and young men do have at least one adult they can trust for guidance. Across all three domains, nearly 90 percent or more of the respondents reported having access to a mentor. However, a closer look at the data shows that these supportive figures are frequently women.
In the context of schoolwork, 78 percent of boys reported having a female mentor. In contrast, only 62 percent reported having a male mentor for educational help. This disparity likely reflects the composition of the education workforce, which is dominated by female teachers.
A similar pattern emerged regarding personal relationships, including friendships. About 78 percent of respondents could turn to a woman for relationship advice. Conversely, only 57 percent expressed that they could turn to a man for similar support.
This discrepancy leaves a significant portion of young males without a same-sex guide. Approximately 38 percent of the boys surveyed did not have any adult male to help with schoolwork. Similarly, 43 percent lacked an adult male to consult regarding friendship or relationship problems.
The gap was slightly smaller regarding future plans, yet a substantial minority still lacked male guidance. One in four boys reported having no adult male to help them navigate their long-term goals. This indicates that while general support is available, gender-specific guidance is less common.
The study also identified a strong correlation between household income and access to male mentorship. The researchers analyzed the data across three income levels: less than $50,000, $50,000 to $99,000, and $100,000 or more. Boys from households facing economic challenges were considerably less likely to have a male mentor than those from wealthier families.
For example, less than half of the boys in the lowest income bracket had a male mentor for schoolwork. Specifically, only 41 percent of boys from households earning less than $50,000 had a male guide in this area. In contrast, 72 percent of boys from households earning $100,000 or more reported having a male mentor for schoolwork.
A similar trend appeared regarding relationship advice. Only 45 percent of boys in the lowest income group had a male mentor for relationships. This compares to 67 percent of boys in the highest income group.
These findings align with broader demographic patterns regarding family structure. Female-headed households are more likely to have lower incomes than married-couple households. Consequently, boys in lower-income homes are less likely to have a father present, reducing their immediate access to a male mentor.
The disparity was also evident in planning for the future. Only 54 percent of lower-income boys had a male mentor for future planning. Meanwhile, 84 percent of their higher-income peers had access to such guidance.
While this report provides a clear snapshot of mentorship prevalence, it relies on self-reported data from the participants. The survey identifies the presence of these adults but does not measure the quality or depth of the mentoring relationships. It is possible that some reported mentors provide more substantial support than others.
Future research might investigate how the quality of these interactions varies between male and female mentors. It would be beneficial to understand if the gender of the mentor impacts specific behavioral outcomes. Additionally, further study could explore specific barriers that prevent men from volunteering as mentors.
The research report, “The Limited Presence of Male Mentors in the Lives of Boys and Young Men,” was authored by Robert Bozick and Jennie W. Wenger.
