The Bulletin War Projections, 2028 Hopefuls, AI Novels, and Men’s College Attendance
15 snips
Mar 24, 2026 Isaac Bledsoe, a researcher focused on transitions to adulthood and fatherhood, and Ben Smith, a researcher on male labor and education, discuss why fewer men enroll in college. They explore community narratives, male role models, stopout reasons, trades and career tech, and how social skills and belonging shape young men’s pathways.
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College Is No Longer The Default For Many Boys
- Fewer boys see college as the default pathway to adulthood and career success.
- Isaac notes cultural environments where college isn't framed as the expected next step change boys' perceptions and reduce enrollment motivation.
Grades Not Tests Explain The Enrollment Gap
- High school grades, not just tests, largely drive the gender gap in college enrollment because grades predict admission and first-year success.
- Ben points out boys often coast in high school and lack study habits, causing first-year college struggles.
Immediate Work Trumps College For Some Young Men
- Many male students 'stop out' because college delays tangible independence and earnings available from entering the workforce.
- Ben recalls men choosing jobs or military service where immediate autonomy and pay felt more meaningful than more schooling.
