7 million young men don’t want to work — we must force them

New York Post - Apr 8th, 2025
Open on New York Post

President Trump aims to bring back nearly 7 million 'dropout' men into the workforce, focusing on trade and industrial policy to create high-paying jobs. However, experts argue this strategy will likely fail, as it doesn't address the core issues of men who are not in the labor force (NILF), a group distinct from the unemployed. These NILF men often rely on disability benefits and are not incentivized by labor market conditions, unlike the unemployed who actively seek work.

The story highlights the systemic issues of America's disability programs, which have grown significantly since the 1960s and often support men with vague medical conditions. The rise of NILF rates among prime-age men is independent of economic conditions, as seen during the post-COVID labor shortage. Critics suggest alternative solutions, such as reforming the disability system to encourage work-first principles, akin to the welfare reforms of the 1990s, which successfully increased workforce participation among single mothers. This approach, along with potential innovation from figures like Elon Musk and politicians like JD Vance, is seen as crucial in addressing what is described as America's 'invisible crisis' of men without work.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a critical examination of the issue of men not participating in the workforce, focusing on the role of disability programs and critiquing current policy approaches. It successfully highlights a significant public interest issue, offering a narrative that is timely and relevant to ongoing economic and policy discussions.

However, the article's impact is somewhat limited by its lack of direct source attribution and a balanced range of perspectives, which affects its credibility and potential influence on policy changes. While it engages readers with a provocative tone and clear language, the absence of comprehensive sourcing and exploration of alternative viewpoints may prompt readers to seek additional information.

Overall, the article effectively raises awareness of a critical economic issue, but its potential to drive meaningful change is constrained by its reliance on interpretative claims and limited source transparency.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a factual claim that approximately 7 million men in the prime working age are neither employed nor seeking employment. This figure aligns with data from multiple sources, supporting its accuracy. The article also discusses the increase in disability claims, particularly for conditions like musculoskeletal issues, which is corroborated by historical data.

However, the story claims that the disability system incentivizes helplessness, a point that is more interpretative and less supported by direct evidence. The assertion that the 'disability archipelago' leads to a significant portion of men being out of the workforce is a complex issue that requires deeper examination and more nuanced data.

The article critiques President Trump's policies, suggesting they are unlikely to succeed without providing empirical evidence to support this claim. While it offers a historical context of workforce participation rates, it does not cite specific studies or data to substantiate its conclusions about the effectiveness of proposed solutions like 'shock therapy push.'

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a critical perspective on President Trump's approach to addressing the issue of men not participating in the workforce. It argues against the effectiveness of trade and industrial policies without offering a balanced view of potential positive outcomes or alternative expert opinions.

The piece largely focuses on the negative aspects of disability programs, implying that they contribute to workforce dropout rates. While it does suggest alternative solutions, such as reforming the disability system, it lacks a comprehensive exploration of different viewpoints or policy proposals from various stakeholders.

Overall, the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation by including perspectives from policymakers, economists, and social scientists who might offer differing views on the causes and solutions to the problem.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the issue concerning men not participating in the workforce. It uses straightforward language and provides a narrative that is easy to follow.

However, the piece occasionally mixes factual information with opinion, which can blur the line between objective reporting and commentary. For example, the use of terms like 'disability archipelago' and 'shock therapy push' introduces a subjective tone that might confuse readers about the nature of the claims being made.

The structure of the article is logical, with a clear progression from identifying the problem to critiquing current policies and suggesting alternatives. This helps maintain reader engagement and comprehension.

5
Source quality

The article does not directly cite sources or studies to support its claims, which diminishes its credibility. It references historical data and general trends but lacks specific attributions to authoritative sources or experts.

The mention of Nicholas Eberstadt and his book 'Men Without Work: America’s Invisible Crisis' provides some level of authority, but the article would benefit from direct quotes or insights from Eberstadt or other experts in the field.

Without a diverse range of sources, the article's reliability is compromised, as it does not provide readers with a clear understanding of where the information originates or how it has been verified.

4
Transparency

The article does not disclose its methodology or the sources of its data, which affects transparency. It makes several claims about the labor force and disability programs without explaining how these conclusions were reached or what data was used.

There is a lack of transparency regarding the potential biases or conflicts of interest that might influence the article's perspective. For instance, the critique of government policies and disability programs could be informed by ideological positions that are not explicitly stated.

Overall, the article would benefit from clearer disclosure of its information sources and any potential biases that could affect its impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://economistwritingeveryday.com/2024/10/16/where-are-the-7-million-missing-men/
  2. https://gopillinois.com/tag/certified/
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/men-workforce-work-companies-struggle-fill-jobs-manufacturing/
  4. https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/04/08/april-8th-2025-presidential-politics-trump-administration-day-79/comment-page-2/
  5. https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/expert-this-is-a-disturbing-trend-as-new-report-reveals-7-million-men-missing-from-workforce-labor-day-labor-force-workforce-unemployed-senator-marco-rubio-report-great-depression-shortage-of-workers