Again, there are many risk factors leading to this, but family structure and relationships, and parental role models are discussed. There is a wealth of material in Buckingham's monograph. This quotation shows why it is important reading for parents and those who work with children and youth. For boys particularly, the absence of a father in the home is a deprivation. Whether we like it or not, it still makes sense to speak of a masculine culture and of ideals of manhood to which most boys aspire, be it consciously or unconsciously.
Boys look for models and guidance from the men and other boys with whom they have contact.
But if such contact is devoid of strength of character, or if it is emotionally and morally 'thin', a developmental influence of the greatest importance will be missing or misdirected. Surely the gospel compels us to invest in lives and intentionally disciple young people for Christ. Biblical values take us away from the focus of the Bible. I will challenge, however, the amount of energy that is being devoted to comparing boys' performances with those of girls as if they should be more or less equal. It is as if we have predetermined that equality of outcomes is an essential attribute.