About a Boy
At the risk of being too obvious, there are some differences between the sexes. Here are some things that are useful for being involved in the lives of boys--at any age.
Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood--William Pollack
This book has been around for a while--and it's been a while since I've read it--but I still remember some powerful truths that have helped me relate to boys better over time. Pollack looks at how boys relate to us, the roles of mothers and fathers in raising/interacting with boys, how boys function with peers, in school, and in sports, and the hard stuff concerning boys: adolescence and sexuality, depression and suicide, violence, and the impact of divorce on boys. If you're looking to understand boys better, or if you want to help them develop more self-confidence and emotional savvy, this book might be worthwhile.
This book has been around for a while--and it's been a while since I've read it--but I still remember some powerful truths that have helped me relate to boys better over time. Pollack looks at how boys relate to us, the roles of mothers and fathers in raising/interacting with boys, how boys function with peers, in school, and in sports, and the hard stuff concerning boys: adolescence and sexuality, depression and suicide, violence, and the impact of divorce on boys. If you're looking to understand boys better, or if you want to help them develop more self-confidence and emotional savvy, this book might be worthwhile.
Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men--Michael Kimmel
This is one of THE best books I have read where adolescent boys are concerned. This book focuses on the upper adolescent years (ages 16-26) in an analysis of how boys develop and come of age. Kimmel, a sociologist with an emphasis on gender studies, describes the territory of Guyland as "a kind of suspended animation between boyhood and manhood [that] lies between the dependency and lack of autonomy in boyhood and the sacrifice and responsibility of manhood." It's a new and highly nuanced stage of development with its own codes and sets of rules. Kimmel has set out to map this new territory and covers topics such as the Guy Code, high school, sports, media, pornography, sex, drinking, and fraternity hazing. If you're sending a son--or even a daughter--to high school or college, you're going to want to check out this book.
This is one of THE best books I have read where adolescent boys are concerned. This book focuses on the upper adolescent years (ages 16-26) in an analysis of how boys develop and come of age. Kimmel, a sociologist with an emphasis on gender studies, describes the territory of Guyland as "a kind of suspended animation between boyhood and manhood [that] lies between the dependency and lack of autonomy in boyhood and the sacrifice and responsibility of manhood." It's a new and highly nuanced stage of development with its own codes and sets of rules. Kimmel has set out to map this new territory and covers topics such as the Guy Code, high school, sports, media, pornography, sex, drinking, and fraternity hazing. If you're sending a son--or even a daughter--to high school or college, you're going to want to check out this book.
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys--Dan Kindlon & Michael Thompson
This book centers on teaching our boys emotional literacy and answering the question, "What do boys need that they're not getting?" I started it a while ago and need to get back to it to finish (or maybe even re-read...).
This book centers on teaching our boys emotional literacy and answering the question, "What do boys need that they're not getting?" I started it a while ago and need to get back to it to finish (or maybe even re-read...).
Masterminds and Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World--Rosalind Wiseman
Coming soon (I hope)! Brought to you by the author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, this book has been out for a bit. I'm hoping to get to it soon. When I do, I'll let you know how it is. However, if its Queen Bees counterpart is any indication, you're going to want to read it too.
Coming soon (I hope)! Brought to you by the author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, this book has been out for a bit. I'm hoping to get to it soon. When I do, I'll let you know how it is. However, if its Queen Bees counterpart is any indication, you're going to want to read it too.
Swagger: 10 Urgent Rules for Raising Boys in an Era of Failing Schools, Mass Joblessness, and Thug Culture--Lisa Bloom
This book hits some major areas where boys specifically are concerned. However, some of her points apply to girls, too. Bloom covers the changes to our education system (which she argues has been significantly devalued), our economy, thug culture, and incarceration--all of which have a tremendous impact on outcomes for young men. She then talks about how WE can help our boys avoid negative outcomes. She covers literacy, media, the effects of competition, the reasons for having high expectations, why teacher support is crucial, how to help your (our) boy(s) respect girls and women, and community services and other experiences. My favorite part is the appendix which includes a list of books boys love--a list which was developed from feedback and input from a variety of folks--adults and boys alike.
This book hits some major areas where boys specifically are concerned. However, some of her points apply to girls, too. Bloom covers the changes to our education system (which she argues has been significantly devalued), our economy, thug culture, and incarceration--all of which have a tremendous impact on outcomes for young men. She then talks about how WE can help our boys avoid negative outcomes. She covers literacy, media, the effects of competition, the reasons for having high expectations, why teacher support is crucial, how to help your (our) boy(s) respect girls and women, and community services and other experiences. My favorite part is the appendix which includes a list of books boys love--a list which was developed from feedback and input from a variety of folks--adults and boys alike.