“These boys have no positive male role models. That makes them vulnerable to strong, destructive alpha males like gang leaders or drug dealers."

“These boys are also most likely to be brought up by mums, then move from a mother-centered home to a woman-centered school.

“Boys need to see males caring at every stage of their lives. So we need more male teachers, period. I’d say equal amounts at least, although, in areas where there are 70 per cent single mothers, why not have 70 per cent male teachers?

“We need to encourage men into the caring sectors, to challenge the cliché that caring work is women’s work”.

Farrell also urges dads not to willingly abandon their children, which he sees as a dereliction of duty.