Vanity Fair’s 2026 Hollywood Issue, featuring actors like Austin Butler, Michael B. Jordan, and Andrew Garfield, has sparked debate with its headline: “Let’s Hear It for the Boys!” The cover choice isn’t merely stylistic; it reflects a broader trend of infantilizing adult men, a tactic with significant cultural and political implications.
The term “boys” applied to men in their 30s and 40s isn’t accidental. It aligns with a disturbing pattern of excusing harmful behavior by framing men as immature or incapable of responsibility. Just last month, Senator JD Vance used similar language to dismiss racist and violent messages from young Republican officials, claiming “kids do stupid things.” This rhetorical strategy minimizes accountability by portraying grown men as harmless adolescents.
The choice of “boys” also taps into a wider conversation about masculinity in crisis. Recent discussions, led by figures like Richard Reeves and Scott Galloway, frame men as victims of societal shifts, lamenting male suicide rates and educational disparities. While these concerns are valid, the framing often avoids acknowledging systemic issues that affect all genders. The implication is that men need saving, reinforcing a victimhood narrative that absolves them of responsibility.
Vanity Fair’s decision, under new editor-in-chief Mark Guiducci, appears to be part of this trend. Guiducci describes his cover stars as “kind, sometimes vulnerable,” descriptors that reinforce the “boy” archetype. The magazine aims to showcase a new generation of “evolved male stars” – sensitive, accessible, and the opposite of traditional Hollywood machismo. Yet, by calling them “boys,” it undermines this message. Infantilizing these men reinforces the idea that softer sensibilities are inherently less mature, keeping traditional masculinity as the unspoken ideal.
The infantilization of men isn’t just about language; it’s a political tactic. By framing men as helpless or immature, society avoids holding them accountable for their actions. The choice of “boys” in Vanity Fair’s cover isn’t harmless; it perpetuates a dangerous narrative that excuses harmful behavior while simultaneously reinforcing outdated gender roles.
Ultimately, the magazine’s decision highlights a disturbing trend: the normalization of excusing grown men by framing them as boys. This isn’t just about Hollywood; it’s about power, accountability, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality
