The Relentless War on Masculinity

For decades, Western societies have tilted against men and boys—dismantling fatherhood, ignoring male disadvantage, and portraying masculinity as a problem to be fixed. The result is a deep social crisis: falling education outcomes for boys, disengaged young men, rising mental health struggles, plummeting birth rates, and fractured relationships between men and women.

In this timely and courageous book, David Maywald shines a clear light on the causes of this crisis and offers a vision for how to rebuild. Combining data-driven analysis with heartfelt advocacy, he calls for a new social contract: one where boys are supported, men are respected, and both sexes work together to create a healthier future for us all...

This book explores:

• How Anglo societies moved from equality to gynocentrism—and what that means for our families, schools, and communities.

• Why fatherhood, faith, and purpose remain essential foundations of human flourishing.

• The cultural, political, and institutional forces that have sidelined men (and how to reverse them).

• Practical solutions and reforms that can restore balance, rebuilding collaboration between men and women.

“There are no winners from The Relentless War on Masculinity, but we can rebuild a far healthier society if men and women collaborate for our children.”

This book challenges stereotypes, sparks honest conversation, and invites readers to move beyond blame toward understanding, respect, and renewal. It is a provocative, hopeful, and urgent call to action—for parents, teachers, policymakers, and everyone who believes that when men and boys thrive, society flourishes too.

Perfect for readers of:

• The Boy Crisis – Warren Farrell and John Gray

• Of Boys and Men – Richard Reeves

• The Toxic War on Masculinity – Nancy Pearcey

• Manhood – Steve Biddulph

• Men on Strike – Helen Smith

• The War Against Boys – Christina Hoff Sommers

David Maywald is a board member, a proud father to a son and a daughter, as well as a passionate advocate for boys and men. His calling is to spark transformational change for men and boys, with positive societal spillovers. He has courageously pulled away from popular opinion, highlighting overlooked information and gradually persuading people to shift their views. He firmly believes that centrist men and women can achieve much healthier social outcomes by turning towards each other (and turning down the dial on extreme voices).He and his family are based in Canberra, the national capital of Australia. This followed his childhood in Adelaide and a lengthy career in Sydney, which included roles with J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse Asset Management and BT Funds Management. As a professional investment manager, David helped oversee tens of billions of dollars invested in share markets worldwide. He has travelled to dozens of countries across six continents for work and leisure.As a lifelong learner, David has completed a double degree at university, an honours thesis, qualifications as a Chartered Financial Analyst, plus both the Company Directors Course and the Boardroom Mastery program from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has also undertaken multiple executive courses in governance excellence, innovation, digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and community leadership. David has served almost 20 organisations in a board capacity during the last three decades (spanning organisations in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra). This includes being Chair of a public company and Chair of an Investment Advisory Board overseeing A$11 billion in funds under management. David is currently a company director and board leader for two registered charities, and he serves on the investment committee of a foundation.David founded the Awards for Men in Leadership in 2023 (recognising the importance of positive male role models) and he launched Celebrating Masculinity in 2025 (to inspire all men and boys). He has had two articles published in the International Journal of New Male Studies. His writing blends research, lived experience and moral conviction, seeking to restore balance in a culture that has too often sidelined boys and men. When not writing or contributing to his community, David enjoys time with his family, exercising and mentoring young people.