Societies have a “hopeless young male” problem

If a young man who is mentally unstable and/or immature finds himself with nothing constructive to occupy his time, he will very often fill this hole with anti social behavior.

This covers all race and wealth demographics.

Hopeless young black men often seek purpose in gangs. Hopeless young white men are typically not drawn to gangs but spend their time focused more on self-destructive activities like drugs & alcohol which certainly leads to crime. While this doesn’t rise to the level of a school shooter, it’s the same rudderless condition which leads to something so extreme.

We need a way to identify & reach these young men between the ages of 15 & 18 in order to help them find purpose. Perhaps a modern day CCC is needed. I’m not suggesting some type of “tough love”, but rather a prescribed trade school program or even some type of entry level OJT work/social work program to fill their time and give them a positive purpose.

I know some programs exist, but we need something more official and widespread. Something like a panel of professionals to identify at-risk kids early and keep track of their progress. In truth, these folks would act much like a father figure…but that’s a different subject.

Until we get a handle on this young male problem - which is largely a problem of hopelessness (often due to fatherlessness) - no amount of gun control or prison legislation is going to help.