Editorial Page Editor Greg Kesich’s Nov. 22 commentary about sexual harassment and domestic violence observes that “there is something about the way that we bring up boys in our culture that damages them.” He concludes that “toxic masculinity is killing us.”

From a nearly 50-year perspective, as a social worker, I certainly agree. And Kesich is correct that men themselves must show greater leadership in addressing the underlying issues that produce so much male violence. But how and where to discuss such a complicated topic?

I was once at a national meeting on social policy in Washington, D.C., when it was announced that all 50 states now had the equivalent of a state commission on women and girls. Very good. It was asked: How many states had an equivalent platform for men and boys? No one knew for sure, but the consensus was “none.”

Creating a Maine panel to look at the problems of men, and not just with men, might provide insight and political momentum now lacking. Nothing the panel discovered could ever excuse male violence, but it might help to explain it, leading to more effective individual and cultural practices to curb it. How about the Press Herald, or a university, foundation or lawmaker, or all of them together, convening a daylong meeting to weigh the feasibility of such a panel?

Michael Petit

Portland

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