I yesterday posted a disturbed email to a listserve called ConcernedKenyanWriters and an interesting discussion ensued that helped me to clarify my position on the question of men and boys development in society today. Because of its importance, I have unilaterally decided to publish the discussion – I won’t mention the names of the people who commented unless they give me their permission. Only the first letters of their names will be used.

I said:

Do you know wanjiru was only 24? A recent man, from a poor background and little exposure with a lot of money and fame in Nyahururu. No knowledge of how to handle both.

I’m ruminating over what the focus on girl child empowerment and the related negligence on the boy has had an impact in our contemporary socialisation – especially young men.

Case in point: was in Watamu at the school with a colleague who deals with Early Childhood Development. Girls were all called out and told to beware of boys and not to go after sugar daddies for cash. The boys were left in class peeping out of the windows. I went and spoke to the boys. Turned out 4 times a month the girls are taken out by someone to talk and they never do.

Who’s investing in mentoring our boys? how do we get good men brought up? Does anyone see a problem?

I’m disturbed

Al.

Then V (She’s a respected scholar and thinker) said:

Yes.

Al Kags.

There is a horrible problem. The marginalisation of boys and men, of –maybe I am being paranoid, African boys and men. The constant denigration of their strength, abilities, prowess (wife beaters, chauvinists, AIDS infected, war lords, rapists, corrupt, dictators etc)

Al, I have little male cousins, orphans who cannot get bursaries and scholarships because they are…boys, because they are not ‘girl-children.’ Their sisters are all in school, are even preferred by schools because the NGOs come into