In a recent opinion piece published on Fox News, Eric Hogue, president of Colorado Christian University, has called for a cultural shift to foster what he describes as 'noble masculinity' among American boys, arguing that lowered expectations and overreliance on technology are contributing to a crisis among young men. Hogue's commentary, titled 'America’s boys need noble masculinity — not lowered expectations,' highlights struggles faced by male students on college campuses and broader societal trends, urging families, schools, and communities to rebuild structures that promote discipline and responsibility.
Hogue, drawing from his experiences as a university administrator, paints a picture of talented young men arriving at college with ambition but faltering due to a lack of basic skills. 'I have sat across from students who were bright enough to thrive and motivated enough to dream big – yet were repeatedly undone by ordinary responsibilities we all take for granted,' Hogue wrote. He described these students as struggling with sustained focus, perseverance, and impulse control, issues he attributes to deeper societal problems rather than individual failings.
The piece comes amid growing concerns about youth mental health and education, including recent legislative efforts in several states to limit smartphone use in schools. Lawmakers in New Jersey have proposed a strict 'bell-to-bell' ban on phones during school hours, while Indiana and Florida have implemented tighter restrictions. According to Hogue, these measures address distractions but overlook the 'real story' of boys who are 'drifting, less resilient, less anchored and less prepared to carry adult responsibility.'
Supporting his observations with data, Hogue cited a October 2024 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that among recent high school graduates aged 16-24, 69.5% of young women were enrolled in college, compared to just 55.4% of young men. He also referenced a 2025 Gallup poll indicating that 25% of U.S. men aged 15-34 reported feeling lonely 'a lot' the previous day. Labor force participation among men aged 20-24 has declined from 82.6% in 2000 to 73.1% in 2022, with projections estimating a further drop to 68.2% by 2032, per Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis.
Hogue emphasized that higher education is not the only path to success, pointing to the importance of roles like builders, tradesmen, entrepreneurs, and service members. However, he argued that every young man needs a trajectory that instills 'discipline, competence and purpose.' Without 'durable friendships, meaningful work and mentors who not only inspire them but also know their names,' he warned, the repercussions extend to families, workplaces, and communities reliant on 'dependable men.'
The commentary also touches on cultural factors Hogue believes have undermined boyhood development. He criticized the tendency to 'mistake love for the removal of hardship' and to lower standards under the guise of compassion, suggesting that such approaches lead to fragility rather than strength. 'Boys often rise or fall to expectations, and when expectations disappear, many do not become stronger, they become fragile,' Hogue stated.
Technology's role in this narrative is framed not as the sole culprit but as a symptom exacerbating issues. Hogue noted that outsourcing boyhood to screens fosters 'impulse, distraction and endless stimulation,' making it harder for boys to adapt to adulthood's demands, such as 'showing up, sticking with difficult tasks, finishing what he starts and doing the right thing when nobody is watching.'
A significant portion of the op-ed addresses perceptions of masculinity. Hogue argued that efforts to combat 'toxic masculinity' have sometimes cast manhood itself in a negative light, leaving boys without positive models. 'The answer to toxic masculinity is not hostility toward masculinity. It is noble masculinity, strength under control, courage in service of others, restraint over appetite and honor that does not need applause,' he wrote. This perspective echoes ongoing debates in education and psychology about how to guide male development without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
In a related segment on Fox News' 'The Ingraham Angle,' former NFL quarterback and Tim Tebow Foundation founder Tim Tebow discussed the need for more resources to fight child abuse and exploitation, though his remarks were not directly tied to Hogue's piece. Tebow's advocacy highlights broader child welfare concerns that intersect with discussions on youth vulnerability.
Hogue proposed practical solutions starting at the local level, without waiting for federal intervention. He advocated for normalized mentorship, where 'every school community, church, civic club and neighborhood should be able to say, with integrity, that no boy grows up here alone.' Mentors, he said, should model 'integrity, hard work, restraint and responsibility' while engaging boys through service and candid dialogue.
Restoring meaningful standards is another key recommendation. Hogue called for schools to enforce conduct codes that ensure decency and protect learning environments, coaches to bench disrespectful players, and employers to prioritize reliability. At home, parents should enforce chores, punctuality, and integrity, teaching that 'strength is never an excuse to demean, objectify, intimidate or manipulate women.'
The urgency of these changes, according to Hogue, stems from the finite window for character formation. 'Habits are learned early, reinforced often and either strengthened or neglected with every passing year,' he wrote. Delaying action risks losing another generation, with long-term societal costs in the form of increased drift and damage.
At Colorado Christian University, Hogue noted that the institution is actively addressing these issues by shaping not just graduates but 'men of character.' His commentary aligns with wider conversations, including comedian Bill Maher's recent sympathies for young men struggling with dating, where Maher advised them to 'grow up'—a sentiment Hogue might view as reinforcing the need for higher expectations.
While Hogue's views represent a conservative critique of modern child-rearing, they draw on verifiable statistics from government sources, though interpretations of cultural causes vary. Critics of similar arguments sometimes point to economic pressures, mental health access, and gender equity initiatives as counterbalancing factors, but Hogue's piece focuses squarely on personal and communal responsibility.
As debates over youth development continue, Hogue's call to action underscores a push for proactive involvement from adults. With enrollment gaps widening and loneliness rates climbing, the implications for America's future workforce and social fabric remain a pressing concern for educators, policymakers, and families alike.