I was genuinely disappointed when I saw FpU leader Simen Velle in my feed on TikTok. Although I agree that we boys’ challenges must be lifted up and forward, I disagree that our sex life is where the shoe presses. And even though Velle has apologized for his use of words and moderated himself, he still stands by much of his message, and there is still enough to react to. To talk about the sex life of us boys as if it is the most important thing for us is to simplify our challenges. It’s no wonder then that some people don’t take us seriously when we raise the challenges we actually face in everyday life, especially when Velle gives those we need support from the blame for them. Because what do we guys really need? Even though lying down is great, there are other reasons why we boys have fallen behind in recent years: School is too theory-heavy, many boys do not get apprenticeships, boys commit suicide more often and many of us try to achieve the dream life with a permanent job, house and family, without quite feeling that we are succeeding. These are real problems that need to be addressed, but blaming equality is a derailment that leads us down a different path than the one that lifts us guys up. When we know that many boys fall outside and feel lonely, it is society’s duty to listen and address the challenges we experience. For far too long we have refrained from talking about boys’ challenges, not because equality has taken the place, but because many of us have probably struggled to put into words and dare to be honest that we boys also have our own struggles. Everyone wins if the boys also feel seen and looked after. Therefore, politicians must propose political solutions that actually help the boys. We need a more practical everyday school life that values more boys’ practical qualities. We need a healthcare system that takes boys’ mental health challenges seriously. We need a housing market that makes it easier for singles, both men and women, to get their first home. And we need a more generous society where it is allowed to say wrong, complain, be forgiven and not put in a booth and banned. If we boys are to get better, we must actually discuss real social problems and not shout out buzzwords to score cheap political points. And especially not pit different groups in society against each other, as FpU and Simen Velle do.
ttn-69
Gross derailment – Speech
