So much talk recently about exam grade degradation and how boys don’t fare well in the coursework environment and boys failing in general.

One of the reasons has to be that boys are rarely in the company of men these days. The boys who probably need men the most are the very ones that have no male contact at all.

A boy born to a single mother, who is statistically likely to be the child of a single mother, will rarely meet men, other than passing “uncles”, who only see them as an obstacle.

From the word g, boys meet female midwives, health visitors, social workers, teachers and librarians, (if they are lucky).

By the time they meet male teachers at secondary school, the hormones have begun to rage and it becomes their duty to disrespect the teachers.

Then, at sixteen, the boy wants to be paid like a man so he can swagger down to pub on Friday night and binge with his mates. But he doesn’t want to learn the trade. He wants proper money in his hand now.

The apprenticeship used to be a legally binding appointment, where the master agreed to teach the trade and the pupil agreed to turn up and learn. Often, parents paid for this priviledge. The boy not only learn a trade, he learned to be a man, by working alongside other men. This relationship has almost disappeared.

Any older man who might show an interest in the welfare of young men keeps their interest quiet these days, and walks on the other side of the road. Why bother? The state and the media assume they are up to no good and they have to go through a process of proving themselves innocent before they work with young people. The rot sets in and spreads deeper and deeper.

I worked as a sort of apprentice signwriter. My boss, Roger, watched and commented as I worked, while his dad pottered about doing all the carpentry. I learned so much more than how to paint a letter in my short time with them. I learned how annoying old people can be, but also that they are human and possible to rub along with. Whenever I’m drawing letters now, I can always feel Roger’s presence over my shoulder, telling me to cut that “O” in a bit more.

I can’t think how we could ever get back to the old apprentice system. I can’t think how we can get back to men taking responsibility for bringing up boys. Somehow it needs to be done or we have to accept a future were women not only want it all, they will have to do it all, while the men sit back, watch TV and let them get on with it.