Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Nov. 18, 2025
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Boys Need Male Mentors. Many Don't Have One
Boys and young men face unique challenges. Boys have lower literacy rates, higher dropout rates, and earn lower grades than girls. Young men are more likely than young women to experience disconnection and more likely to live with their parents. They also face greater risk of suicide.
One promising way to help? Male mentorship.
However, a new RAND survey finds that, while most boys and young men report having a mentor, this mentor is often a woman. One in three boys and young men lacks an adult man he can turn to for help with schoolwork or relationships. One in four lacks an adult man who can help him plan his future. Boys from low-income households are even less likely to have access to male mentors.
The potential payoff of more male mentorship could be huge. Evidence suggests that, when boys and young men have an engaged male mentor, they often do better in school and life. Our survey findings can help policymakers and program developers find more ways to support the well-being of boys and young men as they move from adolescence to adulthood.
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In Europe, the Problem Is Deterrence, Not Drones
Since multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland in September, European leaders have been discussing the need counter them. But according to RAND's Ann Marie Dailey, there's a bigger issue facing Europe's defense: the erosion of deterrence. To reverse this trend, Europe should invest in its conventional forces. "If Europe focuses on its willingness and ability to punch back at Russia," Dailey says, "it won't have to worry that much about Russian planes and drones crossing borders to attack it."
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What Do We Know About Microschools?
Microschools--small, flexible learning environments--are gaining ground nationwide, offering a more personalized approach than traditional classrooms. But many factors make it difficult to collect evidence on whether and how microschools support student learning. A new RAND study examines how to close that gap and better understand the fast-growing microschool sector.
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** RAND Recommends
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- Most clicked last week: policies that can help reduce the federal debt burden.
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- According to RAND Europe experts, Germany has the opportunity to position itself as Europe's military space leader.
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- When it comes to competing with China on AI, Japan and South Korea are critical partners for the United States, writes RAND's Scott Harold.
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** Events
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Can Technological Adaptation Maintain Ukraine's Battlefield Edge?
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (Online)
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Using Transfer Learning to Detect Populist Rhetoric Across 25 Languages Without Translation
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (Online)
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The Geopolitics of AGI
Thursday, November 20, 2025 (Online)
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Military Exposures and Mental, Behavioral, and Neurologic Health Outcomes Among Post-9/11 Veterans
Thursday, November 20, 2025 (Online)
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How Can the UK Better Support Its Young People?
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (Online)
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