Variety magazine reported recently that Disney has “boy trouble.” Bill Winters believes, “They’re going to have to ditch an ideology that sneered at masculinity.”  Disney is losing the interest of Gen Z men (13-28), whom they describe as  a “lonely, gaming-obsessed group who were hampered in their formative years by COVID-19 lockdowns.”   Winters points out that Disney has part of the diagnosis correct, but the corporation needs to realize  young men have become alienated even more by an ideology that is undermining what was once celebrated by Disney.  They need to change the stories they tell. 

Winters maintains, “they’re going to have to ditch an ideology that sneered at masculinity, chivalry, righteous honor, power for noble purposes, the warrior ethos – all these things that coded as toxically male – and accepted these attitudes are actually good and necessary for any healthy society and worthy of exploring in entertainment.”   

“This ideology was obviously anti-men,” insists Winters.  There is a need to return again to tradition.  Traditional stories stick around for a reason.  One of the  moves Disney can make in Miller’s opinion is “to return to traditional storytelling.”  This means, “courageous heroes, nasty villains, and incredibly high stakes for believable characters who wrestle with timeless challenges like family, romance, revenge, redemption.”

“Gen Z males,” insists Miller, “are hungry for brotherhood and purpose.  They want demanding missions where success is deeply consequential not just for them but for the people they care about.”  Young men are looking for stories that contain these three elements, “authentic brotherhood, transcendent purpose and patriotism.”  

Miller is optimistic about the future of Disney.  But they will need to work at renewing and reviving our great institutions. But like the rest of America, Disney must be, “willing to do the hard work of renewing and reviving our greatest institutions.”  He sees Disney’s crisis as a blessing in disguise.  “Really, Disney’s ‘boy trouble‘ crisis is a gift for the company…..If Disney starts telling authentic, powerful stories that men actually want to see, they will capture a rising demographic and participate in a renewal of American culture in a way worthy of the greatest institutions.”

For a Christian the greatest story is telling the “Good News.”  Jesus came to show us a better way to live. He came to defeat the power of evil.  He calls men to radical commitment.  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).   

The Good News calls for young men to be involved in brotherhood.  There is no greater brotherhood, then a group men  committed to the cause of Christ.  Early after high school, in my surrender to Jesus, I found the need for men in my life, who  were intentional about  their walk with God.   This is still true in my 80’s.  The modeling of godly men is vital for me to stay in the fight. We are in combat together, as we rescue people from darkness. 

The Good News certainly provides a transcendent purpose. Jesus taught us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”   I am eternally thankful for “the Good News” of Jesus and his kingdom.  I have given full allegiance to this story.  It is the same yesterday, today and forever.  It has eternal consequences. 

I have been blest to live in a country where the story of Jesus has shaped a lot of our culture.  “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Is. 52:7). It is inspiring to be surrounded by men who are excited about sharing the good news in our troubled culture.