Early in his documentary Changing the Game for Young Men, Gareth Southgate reveals his uncertainty after leaving his role as England manager. Many hoped he would enter politics, but instead, he offers a heartfelt yet limited exploration of the struggles facing young men in Britain.
A Focus on Personal Responsibility
Southgate visits Middlesbrough, where he meets three unemployed young men. Despite their resilience, they face hundreds of applicants per job and rarely receive feedback. One admits to suicidal thoughts. Southgate offers encouragement: "You've got to give yourselves the best possible chance." He shares his own setbacks as inspiration, but the programme avoids questioning the systemic issues behind their plight.
Schools and Mentorship
In schools, Southgate observes that struggling boys are often dismissed as troublemakers. He advocates for more vocational training and male mentors, highlighting a programme where male teachers run extracurricular classes on emotions and ambitions. However, the root cause—underfunding due to austerity—is overlooked.
Small-Scale Solutions
The documentary ends with a small win: one of the Middlesbrough men volunteers with a community environmental project. Southgate also encourages men to mentor local youth through after-school schemes. While these efforts have value, they ignore the larger political choices that created these challenges.
Changing the Game for Young Men is well-meaning but frustrating in its limitations. Southgate excels as a presenter, but his approach avoids the macro issues. The film aired on BBC One and is on iPlayer.
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and Ireland) or other international helplines.
