(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/26/2025) In her seventh State of the State address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her intention to sign an executive directive to promote boosting young men’s enrollment in higher education and skills training programs. 

She said her message “goes out to all young people, but especially our young men.”   

“I know it’s hard to get ahead right now. But I promise you, no matter how hard life might get, there is always a way out and up,” she said. 

Michigan Reconnect, a scholarship program that covers in-district tuition at a community college, has a 2:1 ratio of women to men enrolled in the program. She said women are also outpacing men in universities and community college enrollment.     

“The last thing any of us want is a generation of young men falling behind their fathers and grandfathers,” she said. “I’ve heard most about this issue from moms who love their sons and are worried about them.” 

Whitmer also highlighted a gender gap in homeownership; single women own 20% of homes in Michigan, while single men own 9% of homes. 

The housing gap may be a symptom of the education gap, said Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming).  He said Whitmer put a “big focus” on the gender gap Wednesday night, and it should be a focus for Michigan moving forward. 

“I think what we're really seeing here is an epidemic among young men who are struggling with isolation, loneliness, isolation,” Fitzgerald said. “Obviously that's trickling into the education gap and also the housing gap.” 

Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos) said she was “really surprised” to hear about the gender gap in housing during the address. 

“We know that the education gap has been growing, and I really appreciate the governor's commitment to making sure that all of our young people are on a path to success,” she said. 

Responding with a proverbial eye roll was Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy), who says the Governor has a long way to go to earn the trust of Michiganders. 

“The governor is trying to make it sound as if she cares about the needs of young men, but she’s making the nod after ignoring or talking down to men and boys the rest of her time in office," Wortz said. 

“If she’s willing to work with Republicans to take positive, conservative action -- not just sound nice -- then people will ‘think Michigan’ when they think of successful states.”