It's not as common as it used to be say 10 years ago but guys certainly do get highlights put in their hair.
My partners hair is a sort of dirty blonde, last time he went to the hairdresser he got blonde highlights put through it, it made the color look so much better.
The old trend of black hair with white/blonde streaks is definitely out dated now, but getting different colors is more popular (blues, purples, reds etc)
edit: I misread the first part of your question,
Highlights are usually streaks of a different color put through your hair
Like in the image below, she has lighter highlights
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