Raising boys without men : how maverick moms are creating the next generation of exceptional men / Peggy Drexler, with Linden Gross

Raising thriving, emotionally healthy sons does not require a man around the house! That's the conclusion of a groundbreaking research study that will open eyes, stir debate, and reassure nearly 10 million single mothers. As the number of single-mom and two-mom households has grown, so have concerns about the possible damage to boys caused by the lack of a male role model in the house. Peggy F. Drexler, Ph.D., listened to all the dire warnings; but her training as a research psychologist told her she had to see the evidence. So she embarked on a long-term study comparing boys raised in female-headed families with those whose fathers were present throughout their childhood. What Dr. Drexler discovered is as heartening as it is startling: o Female-headed households may be even better parents for boys than households with men o Sons from these families are growing up emotionally stronger, more empathetic, and more well-rounded than boys from "traditional" mother-father families o While more in touch with their feelings, these boys remain boyish and masculine in all the ways defined by our culture Raising Boys Without Men offers an inclusive vision of what family can mean and a blueprint for raising happier, healthier sons. Nominated for a Books for a Better Life Award in Parenting Backed by peer-reviewed research, this hotly debated bestseller (San Francisco Chronicle) continues to open eyes with its finding that raising thriving, emotionally healthy sons does not require a man in the house. As the number of single-mom and two-mom households has grown, so have concerns about the possible damage caused by the lack of a stable male role model in the house. Determined to find the truth, research psychologist Peggy Drexler embarked on a long-term study comparing boys raised in nontraditional families with those whose fathers were present throughout their childhood. The results were startling. Female-headed households can provide even better parenting for boys than households with men. Sons from female-headed families can grow up emotionally stronger and more well-rounded than boys from "traditional" mother-father families'more in touch with their feelings yet masculine in all the ways defined by our culture Introduction -- The Bad Rap Against Mothers -- Good News From The New Home Front -- Tapping Into Boy Power -- Finding Their Own Role Models -- Head-and-heart Boys -- The Mental Work Of Mothering -- Staying Connected -- Collected Families -- Conclusion : Only Connect. Peggy Drexler, With Linden Gross. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A research psychologist offers a study of boys raised in female-headed households without a male role model, arguing that such young men grow up more empathetic and well-rounded than those in traditional mother-father families