Gov. Wes Moore leads the way

The Maryland governor sets the right tone on issues of boys and men

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland just delivered his annual State of the State address. Much of the media attention, understandably, focused on his plans to address the state’s budget challenges, create jobs and repair of the Frances Key Scott bridge.

But Moore also did something bold, unexpected and exciting: he declared a specific commitment to helping boys and men. Here is the relevant section of his speech:

Lastly, investing in our people means following the data – And the data is telling us that we need to have a greater statewide focus on supporting and elevating our men and boys.

And it’s not just that in Maryland, labor force participation for young men is nearly the lowest it has been in two decades…

It’s also that suicide rates among men under 30 have risen by more than a third since 2010.

Across the country, college attainment levels are the same now for men and boys as they were in 1964.

And Maryland still sends youth under the age of 18 to our state prisons at twice the national rate.

The data is telling us a clear message: We need to better understand and address what’s happening with our men and boys.

I want to be clear: This administration remains steadfast in our support for all Marylanders, regardless of their gender or background.

As the father of a son and a daughter, I want both of my children growing up with all of their God-honoring and God-given opportunities –

But if we want to truly unleash the power of Maryland’s labor force, we need to make sure our men and boys aren’t still falling behind.

I strongly believe our mission to uplift men and boys isn’t in conflict with our values to leave no one behind – it’s in concert with them.

In the words of the great Marylander Frederick Douglass: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

And we have already started doing exactly that – in ways that uplift our men and boys and help support the aspirations of all Marylanders.

In 2023, we launched a first-in-the-nation Service Year Option to help high school graduates find their path and purpose.

In 2024, we made sure that we rewarded our service members through policies to support both veterans and military families.

And in 2025, I will be directing my entire administration to begin implementing targeted solutions to uplift our men and boys.

Or you can watch that section, and see the positive response in the chamber, by clicking here:

As you can imagine, I’m pretty pumped by this commitment. Moore’s not the only Governor interested in this issue. Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut, in his own State of the State address, declared:

Here is a DEI initiative, which folks on both sides of the aisle may appreciate. We’re doing outreach to get more men into teaching. Statistically, boys are most likely to be the disconnected youth. A few more male mentors in the classroom – and coaching – just might help. What say you, Education Committee?

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has created a Task Force on the Wellbeing of Men and Boys, which is working hard on these issues this year, and from which we will be hearing more fairly soon.

But the commitment from Wes Moore is easily the most sweeping and serious to date. As he says: “Directing my entire administration to begin implementing targeted solutions to uplift our men and boys.”

He also frames the challenge correctly, specifically stating that this is not a zero-sum game. Focusing on boys and men is not an abandonment of a commitment to equality but the application of it. As he put it: “our mission to uplift men and boys isn’t in conflict with our values to leave no one behind – it’s in concert with them.” Amen, Governor.

He makes it clear that we need to work on behalf of boys and girls, women and men, drawing on his own duties as a father:

As the father of a son and a daughter, I want both of my children growing up with all of their God-honoring and God-given opportunities –nobody until today has made such a serious commitment to boys and men

This was a reminder that Moore is not just a Governor, not just a former U.S. paratrooper, not just a non-profit leader, but also a husband and father. It was also a beautiful way to capture the truth that we need both boys and girls to succeed, for both men and women to flourish; that we rise together.

Me and the team at the American Institute for Boys and Men will be delighted to support Gov. Moore and his team any way we can, and we hope more Governors and politicians follow his lead.