Gareth Southgate Calls For Positive Role Models For Young Men

In the BBC's Richard Dimbleby Lecture, former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate addressed the crisis in masculinity and the challenge young men face in finding positive role models. He emphasized that many boys are turning to harmful online influences, such as Andrew Tate, which can lead to toxic behaviors and isolation from real-world communities. Southgate stressed the need for leaders and mentors to guide young men towards empathy, resilience, and a healthier understanding of masculinity, rather than the misguided values promoted by some internet personalities. Drawing from his own experiences, he highlighted the importance of learning from failure and not fearing it, as exemplified by his missed penalty in 1996. He urged society to foster environments where young men can develop character over status, proposing that the culture we build today will shape future generations. Southgate's call to action underscores the urgent need for supportive role models in an increasingly digital world.