SIR GARETH SOUTHGATE fears boys are falling into unhealthy habits because they lack role models.
The former England manager spoke about the troubles affecting boys, including isolation and a fear of failing.
He believes many are turning to dangerous influencers due to an absence of effective role models.
Southgate, 54, wants to encourage boys to try and fail as he feels overcoming a difficult experience is integral to growth.
Currently, he feels too many find themselves in positions where they face adversity alone, and pick up bad habits after turning to alternative sources of influence.
He said in a lecture for the BBC: “These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain.
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“They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, that strength means never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them.
“Too many young men are isolated. Too many feel uncomfortable opening up to friends or family.
“Many don’t have mentors – teachers, coaches, bosses – who understand how best to push them to grow. And so, when they struggle, young men inevitably try to handle whatever situation they find themselves in, alone.
“Young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions.
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“They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography.”
Southgate wants young boys to face challenges in adolescence so that they have experience in overcoming difficult situations for when they inevitably face tough moments in adulthood.
He continued: “In my opinion, if we make life too easy for young boys now, we will inevitably make life harder when they grow up to be young men.
“Too many young men are at risk of fearing failure, precisely because they’ve had so few opportunities to experience and overcome it. They fail to try, rather than try and fail.”
“If I’ve learned anything from my life in football, it’s that success is much more than the final score.
“True success is how you respond in the hardest moments.”
