Boys need good male role models, but they don't necessarily have to live with them.

ALL children benefit from multiple role models. I think one thing that we might want to consider bringing back is the concept of godparents. Mine were useless, but...my parents regretted their choice.

(This doesn't have to be a religious thing. It really means asking people you trust to help you parent and be role models for your children).

My positive role models included multiple good teachers (alas, I also had my share of bad ones), a couple who were raising two children, looking after two special needs adults and an elderly parent (Taught me I can't be them)...

...and also a gay man, an Anglican nun and, no kidding, a genuine African prince.

The more role models your children have, the better. (And I also learned a lot from the, uh, less great adults in my life, because I was stable enough to take from them "Oh, I don't want to be or do *that*). And diverse role models will help your kid grow up not a bigot.