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 dataThe 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.
Dr. Jonathan Ellen, speaker 1 of 27
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
- 8:30 a.m.Doors Open
- 9:00 a.m.Welcome from The Lafayette Company
- 9:02 a.m.Welcome Video
- 9:05 a.m.Polling Release
- 9:25 a.m.On-Stage Discussion Group
- 10:15 a.m.Coffee & Networking Break
- 10:45 a.m.Spotlight Session: Boys in the Classroom
- 11:45 a.m.Spotlight Session: Brotherhood by Design
- 12:30 p.m.Lunch & Exhibitor Hall Visit
- 1:00 p.m.The Diploma Divide: Rethinking Higher Ed for Young Men
- 2:00 p.m.Spotlight Session: What The Experts Miss
- 2:45 p.m.Coffee & Networking Break
- 3:15 p.m.Hot Take Fishbowl
- 4:30 p.m.Great American Tailgate
Day 2 · September 25
- 8:30 a.m.Doors Open
- 9:00 a.m.Introductory Remarks
- 9:05 a.m.Making Space for Men: Programming and Infrastructure for the Modern Era
- 10:05 a.m.Spotlight Session: Against the Tide: What the Knights of Columbus Know About Reaching Young Men
- 10:50 a.m.Coffee & Networking Break
- 11:15 a.m.Practical Policy Solutions to the Male Mental Health Crisis
- 12:15 p.m.Addiction & Algorithms: Addressing the Attention Economy
- 1:15 p.m.Lunch & Exhibitor Hall Visit
- 1:45 p.m.Young Men at Work: The Economics of Opportunity
- 2:45 p.m.Spotlight Session: Husbands and Fathers: Marriage, Family, and the Future of Young Men
- 3:30 p.m.Coffee & Networking Break
- 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.
