A community discussion: why boys are struggling and what we can do about it

Field School welcomes you to a community conversation with Richard Reeves on March 16. His book, Of Boys and Men, was named book of the year by The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and President Obama, and he will be here to discuss why boys are struggling, and what educators, parents, and the community can do about it.

In 2024, the American Institute for Boys and Men highlighted, "there are currently 2.4 million fewer males enrolled in undergraduate colleges in the US than their female counterparts." National data shows boys across the country are falling behind academically, socially, and emotionally. Reeves’s work is grounded in data-driven solutions to help boys find success. His work continues to inform educators and communities at large on new ways to bridge the gender gap, and we’re excited to bring him to Charlottesville for a thought-provoking and invigorating discussion.

Here are the event details:

WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2026, from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. 

WHERE: Irving Theater at the CODE Building (Park at Omni Hotel)
225 W Water Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902

COST: Free

Due to limited seating, RSVPs are required. We hope to see you there!

For those of you interested in learning more about Richard Reeves, here is some additional background information: 

Richard Reeves is the founding President of the American Institute for Boys and Men, the first and only national organization dedicated to objective, non-partisan research and policy development aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of boys and men. He is also the author of the 2022 book, Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It, described in the New York Times as a "landmark" and named a book of the year by The Economist, The New Yorker, and President Barack Obama. 

Reeves is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he previously served as Director of the Center on Children and Families. He has written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, National Affairs, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. 

We also recommend TED Talk — “How to Solve the Education Crisis for Boys and Men” - one of Reeves’s most widely viewed presentations, where he outlines the key educational gaps facing boys and why they matter for society.