From time to time one reads an article claiming that men are "tomorrow's second sex" or worrying about the disappearance of manhood. Men are failing at school, these articles claim. Women dominate employment in the sectors that are growing in modern economies, while traditionally male jobs are in decline. Men won't take traditionally female jobs, hence are stuck in joblessness. Men without work don't get married, don't form families, aren't socialized to behave in a responsible fashion, and are a generally a social problem.

Yet a brief tour of the natural world suggests that, far from being exceptional, social exclusion of males - and accompanying social problems - is perfectly normal. Young male lions, just kicked out of the pride, are the ones who wander into villages, attack farm animals, and cause many lion-human conflicts. Young male baboons are the adventurous ones breaking into houses and stealing food from kitchens. Lone bull elephants are dangerous and potentially deadly.