Boys Adrift : The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

Family physician, research psychologist, and acclaimed author of Why Gender Matters , Leonard Sax reveals the truth about what's driving the decline of American boys--and what parents can do about it. Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, they are less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. As for young men, it turns out the film Failure to Launch is not far from the truth. Fully one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home with their parents--about a 100 percent increase in the past twenty years. Boys nationwide are increasingly dropping out of school; fewer are going to college; and for the first time in American history, women are outnumbering men at undergraduate institutions three to two. Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals are worried about boys. But until now, no one has come up with good reasons for their decline--and, more important, with workable solutions to reverse this troubling trend. Now, family physician and research psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on his vast clinical experience to propose an entirely original view of why boys and young men are failing in school and at home. He argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors is creating an environment that is literally toxic to boys, ranging from environmental estrogens to the over-prescription of ADHD drugs. And he presents practical solutions--from new ways of controlling boys' use of video games, to innovative (and workable) education reforms. From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Collapse of Parenting, a powerful explanation why America's sons are falling behind, and what we can do about it Something 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. In Boys Adrift, 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. 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 As, her brother Justin is goofing off. Hes more concerned about getting to the next level in his video game 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 video games, to medication. Sax Delves Into The Scientific Literature And Draws On His Vast Clinical Experience To Propose An Entirely Original View Of Why Boys And Young Men Are Failing In School And At Home. He Argues That A Combination Of Social, Cultural, And Biological Factors Is Creating An Environment That Is Literally Toxic To Boys, Ranging From Environmental Estrogens To The Over-prescription Of Adhd Drugs. And He Presents Practical Solutions-- From New Ways Of Controlling Boys' Use Of Video Games, To Innovative (and Workable) Education Reforms. The Riddle -- The First Factor : Changes At School -- The Second Factor : Video Games -- The Third Factor : Medications For Adhd -- The Fourth Factor : Endocrine Disruptors -- End Result : Failure To Launch -- The Fifth Factor : The Revenge Of The Forsaken Gods -- Detox. Leonard Sax. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 223-260) And Index.