Difference between revisions of "Real Boys"

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[[Image:Real Boys.jpg|thumb|256x256px|1st edition hard cover.]]
 
[[Image:Real Boys.jpg|thumb|256x256px|1st edition hard cover.]]
  
'''''Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myths of Boyhood''''' is a book of child psychology by [[William Pollack]] which focuses on males. Its message is that boys are pushed too often and too early to become stoic and independent according to an out-dated sexist "boy-code" which causes deep-seated emotional issues resulting in bad behavior and ultimately, mental health problems. The book gives several ideas for how to correct this problem.
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'''''Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myths of Boyhood''''' is a book of male child psychology by [[William Pollack]], first published on 1999-05-10. Its message is that boys are pushed too often and too early to become stoic and independent according to an out-dated sexist "boy-code" which can cause mental health problems that will result in emotional instability and bad behavior. The book gives several ideas for how to correct these problems.
  
I picked this book up at a library book sale. I was interested in it from the title, because my boyhood childhood was anything but the storybook version. I also read it in preparation of becoming a parent, and, naturally, I ended up having two girls, however, the general message--don't raise children to be stereotypes-- is useful for everyone.
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I picked this book up at a library book sale. I was interested in it from the title, because my boyhood childhood wasn't anything like the storybook version. I also read it in preparation of becoming a parent, and, naturally, I ended up having two girls, however, the general message--don't raise children to be stereotypes--is useful for everyone.
  
 
==Status==
 
==Status==
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===Bad===
 
===Bad===
 
* Although the book provides a long list of sources, it doesn't cite them as you read along, which makes it very difficult to look anything up for yourself.
 
* Although the book provides a long list of sources, it doesn't cite them as you read along, which makes it very difficult to look anything up for yourself.
* The author uses the phrase "I believe..." too often for my taste. While I appreciate the honesty, and I'm okay with a person giving me their interpretation of data, I prefer the sentences which read, "double-blind scientific studies show..."
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* The author uses the phrase "I believe..." too often for my taste. While I appreciate his honesty, and I'm okay with a person giving me their interpretation of data, I prefer the sentences which read, "double-blind scientific studies show..." However, it's probably safe to say that a lot of professional research still needs to be conducted in the field of child psychology before much can be said with a high degree of confidence.
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===
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==Links==
 
==Links==
* [http://www.williampollack.com/real_boys.html williampollack.com/real_boys.html] - Official page.
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{{Link|GoodReads|https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2745.Real_Boys}}
* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2745.Real_Boys goodreads.com/book/show/2745.Real_Boys] - GoodReads.
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{{Link|Official|http://www.williampollack.com/real_boys.html}}
  
  
 
[[Category: Books]]
 
[[Category: Books]]
[[Category: Non Fiction]]
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[[Category: Non-Fiction]]
 
[[Category: Psychology]]
 
[[Category: Psychology]]
 
[[Category: Books I've Read]]
 
[[Category: Books I've Read]]
 
[[Category: Underrated]]
 
[[Category: Underrated]]

Revision as of 15:04, 9 July 2019

1st edition hard cover.

Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myths of Boyhood is a book of male child psychology by William Pollack, first published on 1999-05-10. Its message is that boys are pushed too often and too early to become stoic and independent according to an out-dated sexist "boy-code" which can cause mental health problems that will result in emotional instability and bad behavior. The book gives several ideas for how to correct these problems.

I picked this book up at a library book sale. I was interested in it from the title, because my boyhood childhood wasn't anything like the storybook version. I also read it in preparation of becoming a parent, and, naturally, I ended up having two girls, however, the general message--don't raise children to be stereotypes--is useful for everyone.

Status

I own a first edition hardcover and have read it.

Review

Good

  • I found myself nodding in agreement to nearly everything the author wrote about boys becoming emotionally scarred from always being told to man-up and tough it out, not to display emotions (especially sadness and fear), and from mothers being told to distance themselves from their boys and not to coddle them.
  • While I found a lot of what the author said to be common sense, there were plenty of interesting pieces of advice that I hadn't considered.
  • The book covers a wide range of topics including divorce, puberty, drugs, sexuality, bullying, abuse, and provides constructive methods for educating and mentoring young men about them.

Bad

  • Although the book provides a long list of sources, it doesn't cite them as you read along, which makes it very difficult to look anything up for yourself.
  • The author uses the phrase "I believe..." too often for my taste. While I appreciate his honesty, and I'm okay with a person giving me their interpretation of data, I prefer the sentences which read, "double-blind scientific studies show..." However, it's probably safe to say that a lot of professional research still needs to be conducted in the field of child psychology before much can be said with a high degree of confidence.

Ugly

  • Nothing.

Links

Link-GoodReads.png  Link-Official.png