Gareth Southgate addresses toxic influence on young men in Dimbleby Lecture

In the 46th Richard Dimbleby Lecture, former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate addressed the challenges faced by young people today, particularly the detrimental influence of social media and the absence of traditional role models. He emphasized the need for resilience and belief in overcoming failures, recalling his own experience of missing a crucial penalty in Euro 96, which shaped his understanding of success beyond trophies. Southgate warned against the rise of 'callous, manipulative and toxic influencers' who mislead young men about success, exacerbating feelings of isolation and mental health issues. He advocated for a shift in focus towards character development, arguing that courage, humility, and integrity should take precedence over material success. Southgate highlighted the importance of allowing young people to experience failure, suggesting that overprotection can hinder their growth and ability to cope with future challenges. He called for a collective effort to support young men, noting the significant number of children in Britain lacking father figures, which contributes to this ongoing crisis.