When it comes to our boys, everyone seems to have something to say; lectures to give, fingers to wag, soap boxes to stand on.
But the truth, for a lot of our boys, and all children, is they live in a society that offers them fewer and fewer things to do. Gone are the days when I could play ping pong for hours on end, after school. Gone are the days of playing hide and seek, or learning to make bracelets, understanding how to tie knots, build dens, tie die t-shirts, or create hair wraps.Between 2010 and 2019, London closed 30% of its youth clubs, and it is no surprise that violent crime, particularly youth crime, has surged during this period.
So –
What use is it, telling boys to do better, to be more, and to fill their time with noble pursuits, when society, schools and politicians, have stripped such opportunities from communities across the country?
What is to be said about the shuttered youth clubs, the leisure centres, libraries, sports facilities and afterschool clubs that have disappeared?
And what is the cost we all pay, when we lose these essential spaces?
What do you think?
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Listen to the full podcast with Jordan Stephens here.
2026-06-05