Former President Barack Obama has called on men to embrace gay friendships as a means of fostering empathy and serving as role models for their children. In an interview on his wife and brother-in-law’s podcast, Obama emphasized the value of diverse male influences in shaping emotionally intelligent young men. He noted that boys should not rely solely on their fathers as role models, as other men can provide unique perspectives and guidance. Obama shared personal anecdotes about how different male figures in his life, including an openly gay professor, helped shape his understanding of masculinity. Additionally, he critiqued progressive approaches that have sometimes overlooked the needs of boys in the pursuit of gender equality, urging a more balanced focus on what is right with young men rather than what is wrong.