Raising Boys with Purpose: Dr. Alan Hahn on Masculinity, Mental Health, and Mentorship

Boys are struggling — academically, emotionally, socially, and developmentally. But what do boys actually need to grow into healthy, grounded, responsible young men?

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dr. Alan Hahn doctoral-level educator, founder of Iron Academy, and author of The Iron Academy, to explore the modern crisis facing boys and young men.

Together, they discuss why so many boys are struggling in school, mental health, motivation, identity, and purpose — and what parents, educators, and communities can do to help. Dr. Hahn shares why boys need more than lectures or discipline. They need joy, community, accountability, identity, responsibility, and meaningful rites of passage.

This conversation explores how we can help boys move from simply consuming to contributing — and why young men need trusted adults who will guide them with both love and high expectations.

In this episode, we discuss:

▪️ Why boys are struggling in today’s culture

▪️ How schools may be failing to meet boys’ developmental needs

▪️ The importance of joy, community, accountability, and identity

▪️ Why boys need responsibility and opportunities to build competence

▪️ How screens, pornography, gaming, and digital culture can shape identity

▪️ The role of male mentorship and brotherhood

▪️ Why rites of passage still matter