Each convening builds on the last. Revisit the speakers, sessions, and outcomes from last year’s inaugural Symposium.
Prologue
Young American men face real challenges that demand urgent attention and thoughtful solutions that actually work. From skyrocketing mental health crises and declining college enrollment to digital addiction and social isolation, an entire generation of males is struggling to find their place in modern America. And it’s not just men who are hurting because of it. Women, their families, their communities, and their country all suffer as a result.
The Lafayette Company hosted the first-ever Symposium on Young American Men on November 3, 2025 to tackle these issues. The event convened lawmakers from both major political parties, health care experts, men’s organizations, policymakers, researchers, and education leaders to examine the scope of these critical social challenges and present evidence-based proposals to improve male well-being.
Prologue
Cygnal, a FiveThirtyEight and New York Times top-rated pollster, released a landmark survey of 1,000 males ages 16 to 28 performed in October 2025 as a part of the inaugural Symposium on Young American Men.
“These findings reinforce the necessity of policymakers going to those closest to the problem — individuals and organizations working with and for men — to learn how to solve these challenges. Experts can be found in men’s lifetime brotherhood or service organizations, collegiate fraternities, religious institutions and athletic clubs.”
Ellen Carmichael, Founder and President, The Lafayette Company
Key Takeaways
of respondents said their mental health is just “fair,” “poor” or “very poor.”
of Gen Z males have two or fewer friends, with 11% having no friends at all.
of young men said they don’t have a male mentor.
of males ages 16 to 28 are not affiliated with any organized group (e.g., religious congregation, intramural sports team, online community, political or volunteer organization, educational association).
of Gen Z males can be classified as “low social,” spending between zero and five hours per week in-person with friends or participating in social activities.
spend five or more hours a day online streaming, gaming, browsing, and using social media. 27% dedicate more than six hours each day to recreational online activities.
The Sessions · Nine Conversations
Filmed live on November 5, 2025. Click any card to open the recording.
Patrick Kelly, CEO of the Knights of Columbus, kicks off the first-ever Symposium on Young American Men.
Alex Tarascio, principal and pollster at Cygnal, shares some key takeaways and open-ended responses to questions asking young men to describe their lives.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Moderator: Kate Odell, Wall Street Journal
Moderator: Marc Caputo, Axios
Speakers:
Speakers:
Moderator: Chris Moody, Appalachian State University
Moderator: Mike Mayer, Theta Chi
Speakers:
Moderator: Dr. Anthony Mack, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Daily Signal
NBC News
Politico Playbook
Catholic News Agency
Inside Higher Ed
The Dispatch
Senator Ruben Gallego
Politico Pulse
The Record Online (SAE)
Evie Magazine
