Manning Up explores the unintended consequences of the feminist revolution - the infantilization of young men and the rise of lad culture. Marrying later than ever before in history, young men and women are carving out a new stage of life, frequently referred to as 'emerging adulthood'. With higher education and multiple moves between jobs now essential to gain a career foothold, young adults often live the single life for much of their twenties and even thirties. These decades pose special, new challenges for young men. Women complain there are no good men left, that men are immature, unreliable, and adrift. No wonder. Masculine role models have become increasingly juvenile and inarticulate: think of stars like Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell. There are no rules for dating and mating, Guys are unsure how to treat a woman. Most importantly, whereas in the past dating in the pre-adult years was largely a means to an end-marriage-that's no longer the case. Many young men of today, whether because of a childhood encounter with divorce or a history of less than satisfying relationships, suspect that they are no longer essential to family life. In other words, men are at the crux of post-modernity society. There are yet other forces lined up against men too. Today's knowledge economy is female friendly in ways that are only dimly understood. Many of the highest profile areas of that economy-communications, design, the arts, and health care-are particularly hospitable for, and even dominated by, women. Moreover, the competitiveness and instability of today's economy requires initiative, planning, and organization. Many educators and social psychologists find that these are areas where girls outperform boys. The result is 'the slacker'.