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Boys Adrift

The Six Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

Leonard Sax

Written by
Leonard Sax
Read by
Leonard Sax
Length
9 hrs 6 min
Publisher
Basic Books
Released
2026-09-01

Shelved under

What it is

American boys are failing to meet their potential—the author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting explains why, and what we can do about it, in this updated edition.

A growing proportion of American boys are failing. From kindergarten to college, boys are becoming less resilient and less ambitious, and the gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. In this fully updated edition, Dr. Leonard Sax draws on scientific literature and more than thirty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at work.

Sax identifies six key factors: schools unfriendly to boys; video games; medications for ADHD; environmental toxins; the devaluation of masculinity; and, in brand-new material, the combined forces of pornography, AI, and the manosphere. Throughout, Sax presents practical solutions, sharing strategies that educators have found effective in reengaging boys at school, as well as crucial guidance for parents about everything from selecting a school to preparing a meal.

A powerful call to action, Boys Adrift is essential reading for parents and educators who want to build a brighter future for America’s sons.

On the charts

Last charted September 6, 2026. Its best position was 1 on Bestsellers in Personal Development, reached September 3, 2026. Seen on 6 charts over 5 days of readings, the first on September 2, 2026.

ChartBestDaysLast seen
Personal Development
Bestsellers 1 3 days September 4, 2026
New releases 1 3 days September 4, 2026
Health & Wellness
New releases 2 5 days September 6, 2026
Bestsellers 2 3 days September 4, 2026
Politics & Social Sciences
New releases 2 5 days September 6, 2026
Bestsellers 5 3 days September 4, 2026

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