September 24–25, 2026 · The Spire, Washington, D.C.
The future for young men starts here.
Young men are withdrawing from modern American society with consequences that extend far beyond the men themselves. This affects families, communities, and the fabric of American life. But simply acknowledging the issues—increased digital addiction, extreme loneliness, reduced career prospects, and declining college enrollment—doesn't help. We need policy solutions.
The 2025 survey
We polled 1,000 young men. The numbers are striking.
Cygnal surveyed 1,000 American men aged 16 to 28 in October 2025. A handful of ordinary habits—exercising, practicing a faith, belonging to something—produce drastically different outcomes.
Explore the data- 57%
- rate their own mental health fair, poor or very poor
- 48%
- have two or fewer close friends
- 50%
- spend five or more hours online every day
- 40%
- have no male mentor or role model
The convening
A national response to the crisis facing young men
The challenges facing young American men demand more than awareness. The path forward requires targeted, data-driven solutions that develop young men into the fathers, husbands, coaches, and civic leaders America depends on.
Exclusive Polling
Top-rated polling of young men and how they are navigating education, family and social life, and the workforce.
Policy Discussion
High-level sessions featuring the nation's foremost scholars, policymakers, and leaders.
Lasting Impact
Evidence-based insights providing real solutions to young men's issues.
A letter from the founder
Why this work cannot wait
The discussions and outcomes of last year’s symposium proved a great success. The Lafayette Company is privileged to work alongside organizations that represent millions of young men, and through this lens we recognize this conversation needs to continue.
It is with urgency that we must address the social isolation, disengagement and growing loss of purpose among young men on a national scale. This symposium brings together those working on the front lines of this issue and those who simply care about this generation’s wellbeing, to forge meaningful dialogue, share practical and bipartisan solutions, and build the bridges that turn advocacy into action.
Ellen CarmichaelFounder, Symposium on Young American Men
Featured voices
Speakers and moderators
Leading scholars, founders, and practitioners working at the intersection of research and impact.
Brent Scher, speaker 1 of 20
Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. See all speakers
Two days of dialogue
Program at a glance
Keynotes, research briefings, panels, and working sessions across two full days.
Day 1 · September 24
- 9:00 a.m.Welcome from The Lafayette Company
- 9:02 a.m.Welcome Video
- 9:05 a.m.Polling Release from Cygnal
- 9:25 a.m.On-Stage Discussion Group
- 10:45 a.m.Spotlight Session with The Honorable Betsy DeVos, 11th U.S. Secretary of Education
- 11:30 a.m.Spotlight Session
- 1:30 p.m.Spotlight Session with Rob Henderson
- 2:15 p.m.The Diploma Divide: Rethinking Higher Ed for Young Men
- 4:00 p.m.Hot Take Fishbowl
- 5:00 p.m.The Great American Tailgate
Day 2 · September 25
- 9:00 a.m.Introductory Remarks
- 9:05 a.m.Making Space for Men: Programming and Infrastructure in the Post-Affirmative Action World
- 10:05 a.m.Spotlight Session with Joseph McInerney, Knights of Columbus
- 11:15 a.m.Practical Policy Solutions to the Male Mental Health Crisis
- 12:15 p.m.Addiction & Algorithms: Addressing the Attention Economy
- 1:45 p.m.Young Men at Work: The Economics of Opportunity
- 2:45 p.m.Spotlight Session with Brad Wilcox, Institute for Family Studies
- 4:00 p.m.Persuaded, Not Presumed: The Fight for Young Male Voters
With the support of
Partners and sponsors
The Symposium is made possible by foundations, institutes, and civic organizations devoted to the next generation of American men.
