Real Boys : Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood

asked by csean85 on November 5, 2006 12:37 PM

Listening to the author William Pollack read Real Boys, it doesn't take long to find out that being a boy these days isn't all fun and games. As codirector of the Center for Men at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical Center, Pollack has seen behind the stoic masks of troubled, modern boys as they struggle to cope with the mixed messages, conflicting expectations, and increasingly complex demands they receive from our evolving society. "New research shows that boys are faring less well ... that many boys have remarkably fragile self-esteem, and that the rates of both depression and suicide in boys are frighteningly on the rise."

What are parents to do? They could start by listening to the author's thoughts on contemporary child-rearing techniques, analysis of the root causes of many male behavior problems, and recommendations for avoiding all-too-common pitfalls. In Real Boys, Pollack draws upon nearly two decades of research to support his theories and makes an impressive assault on the popular myths surrounding the conventional definition of masculinity.

While listening to Real Boys, it is important to remember that Pollack is a psychologist, not a professional narrator. His enunciation is less than perfect and his reading sometimes strikes a clinical tone, but his intelligent writing and the obvious concern he holds for this important subject help carry a passionate message and compensate for any vocal shortcomings. (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --George Laney

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Reviews

Makes many accurate observations about boy behavior and its origins,however,the book leans a little too much toward "feminization" of boys in preventing behavioral problems.This may be the politically-correct way to help boys,but not the productive way or the ethical way.

reviewed by sandi on November 17, 2006 1:39 AM

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If you are raising boys today I suggest reading this book before they enter the school system! Is he in school and saying things like, "that's gay" or "fag"? Sure he is, we raise them that way and don't even know it.
This book is for both parents but I think mothers will get more out of it. It will also explain to older boys, (adult) how they got messed up emotionally and the difficulties they have with intimacy. May also help to understand why their marriage failed. If you are a wife and want to try and save a marriage, read this book! Real Boys will clear up the myths and explain how NOT to raise real boys if you want them to be real men!!!

reviewed by faithfulone on November 24, 2006 2:38 PM

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The author makes some fantastic points in the first hundred or so pages in this book. He then makes those points over and over again until they have lost all meaning.

I just feel that the momentum of the narration in a book like this needs to be backed up by more then example after example that says the same thing.

Overall-If I had to read the term "gender straightjacket" or "boy code" one more time I would have shot myself in the head.

reviewed by guitarplayer on November 27, 2006 9:35 AM

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I ordered the audiobook so that I could listen to it while I was driving. It was filled with examples of what my son has had to deal with at school. It was an opportunity for me to have an "insider's" view of what was really going on at school, how prevalent it is for this to happen to our sons, and what I could do to counter-act it with our son. The author narrated the audiobook, and gave a lot of real-world examples that he had compiled in the 20+ years he had served as a child psychologist.
I would recommend this book highly to anyone having to deal with bullying and their sons at school.

reviewed by jan1975 on November 28, 2006 11:02 PM

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add a new book!