by Leonard SaxMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, American boys are, on average, less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. The gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. While Emily is working hard at school and getting A’s, her brother Justin is goofing off. He’s more concerned about getting to the next level in his videogame than about finishing his homework. Now, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at home. He shows how social, cultural, and biological factors have created an environment that is literally toxic to boys. He also presents practical solutions, sharing strategies which educators have found effective in re-engaging these boys at school, as well as handy tips for parents about everything from homework, to videogames, to medication.
My sister-in-law recommended this one, and I finally got around to reading it, and am so glad I did. I thought all the chapters were fascinating, but especially the one on how kindergartens (and schools in general) today are not designed in such a way that allows young boys to succeed. And instead of creating schools to match the way children develop, they try to force children to mold into what someone somewhere deemed a school should be, and it's not working. Higher and higher percentages of younger aged children (especially boys) are being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD when most of them don't need to be. And studies are starting to show that the medications prescribed for ADD/ADHD may be contributing to the lack of motivation in so many adult males. Pretty scary.
I liked this book a lot because it talked about many things that I already knew in my gut, but didn't have an explanation for. For example, I knew in my gut that all day kindergarten was a bad idea. I knew in my gut that ADD/ADHD was being WAY over diagnosed. I knew in my gut that video games and computer games, even educational ones, should be used sparingly. Because of the morals I have, I deeply believe that pornography is harmful, but because of this book I now know WHY it is so harmful, even to someone who has no morals. And I know the facts behind all of those gut feelings.
His chapters on "Failure to Launch" syndrome, were so interesting. I was blown away by the actual, real, lack of caring in the responses from some of the adult males. But at the same time, I see it becoming so prevalent in our society, even in some family members.
What I like most is that he offers solutions. And not just a one size fits all solution. But he gives a lot of different ideas, and things to try out, depending on the personality of your son.
It's a great book. I think all parents of boys should read this so they can make informed decisions about the lives and well being of their boys.
2 comments:
Wow, I'm glad you read it and reviewed it. Seems like I'll have to read it. Especially since my husband learned to read just so he could read video games. All my brother-in-laws weren't motivated in school and some just barely graduated. I want to make sure to make education is their priority growing up. Especially now because all my brother-in-laws now know what they want to do with their lives and need to retake a lot of classes at a community college before they can even apply to a university. And they wished they did better in school.
convinced me to read it. I start today :-)
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