That sentence is comparing "now" to "the past", though that isn't clearly stated. When people say "X doesn't happen anymore" it is a comparison, but comparing past and present. As for understanding comparison sentences, your real clue are comparative adjectives. In a perfect sentece, you will see the word "than", but it doesn't have to be used if the comparative object is understood. Words like "taller", "more comfortable", and "better" clue you in that the sentence is a comparison. If you can't find the word "than", try to figure out what the person is comparing to using the context around it. In your sentence, the author is splitting the word "anymore" with the expletive "damn", so it may be confusing. If I were going to write that, I would write it "any-damn-more" to make it clear that I'm altering a word. Not all writers agree on rules or follow them.

Sean: Comparison can be used this way to bring clarity to a subject. #1 Take any subject. Identify the extreme opposites concerning your subject. #2 Identify the Mean Value (also called the Middling Value). Also, you should know that of the many people who publish, there may be only a few that write with clarity. So it is not only you the reader who are somewhat confused. If confused authors write something that you do not readily understand, it may be that you are reading the writing of a confused author.

The author has perhaps confused you by putting the words "any more" towards the start of the sentence and then adding the word "damn" between "any" and "more". The author is lamenting the fact that boys are not helped to become clear-thinking young men any longer. May I suggest you ask a more specific question about comparisons? Kind regards, Michael