Dear Editor,

There is nothing inherently wrong with calling men to account. In fact, accountability is necessary. It is how individuals grow and how societies progress. But somewhere along the way, parts of the public conversation have begun to confuse accountability with contempt, and the distinction matters.

Across social and cultural spaces, particularly online, messages directed at men have increasingly taken on a tone that is less about correction and more about condemnation. Men are often framed as inherently deficient, emotionally limited, or socially problematic. While some of these critiques emerge from legitimate concerns about harmful behaviour, the broader pattern reflects something more troubling: When accountability is stripped of dignity, it ceases to be constructive.

The consequences of this shift are not theoretical. Across the Caribbean and globally, boys continue to underperform academically. Male dropout rates remain higher than those of females, and fewer men are completing tertiary education. At the same time, men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support, despite facing higher risks of suicide and engagement in high-risk behaviour. These trends reflect a growing disengagement that carries implications for families, communities, and national development.

In Jamaica, there are encouraging signs of recognition. The Ministry of Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through its Male Empowerment Unit, has prioritised fatherhood, mental health, and the reduction of harmful stereotypes surrounding masculinity. This signals an important understanding that the development of men is essential. However, such efforts cannot operate in isolation. A wider cultural narrative that consistently frames men as deficient risks undermining the very progress these initiatives aim to achieve.

If men are approached primarily from a place of deficiency rather than potential, meaningful engagement becomes less likely. Accountability should challenge behaviour, not strip individuals of value. It should invite growth, not provoke withdrawal.

At the same time, responsibility cannot be placed solely on external narratives. Men must take ownership of how they respond to both criticism and challenge. Too often, responses have been reactive rather than constructive. Public discourse is filled with commentary, but there is far less evidence of coordinated, research-driven efforts aimed at improving male outcomes in education, mental health, and social development.

There is room for a different approach. Accountability and dignity are not opposing forces. It is possible to demand responsibility from men while still affirming their value and potential. Evidence-based strategies, including early intervention, mentorship, and social-emotional learning, can support discipline, resilience, and purpose. Expanding access to relevant mental health services is equally critical.

Most importantly, men must lead in building these solutions. This is not about dominance, but responsibility. It requires organisation, collaboration, and a shift from rhetoric to results.

Accountability is not the problem. It is how we deliver it that matters.

Jaemar Johnson

Behaviour analyst

johnsonjaemar@gmail.com