Real Boys : Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood

Featuring a new preface by the author on how parents can make a difference. With author appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, 20 /20 and NPR's Fresh Air, and featuring articles in Newsweek, Time, and The New York Times, Real Boys is one of the most talked-about and influential books published this year. Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School over two decades, Real Boys explores why many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can we help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression, love and sexuality, drugs and alcohol, divorce, and violence. William S. Pollack, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, is the co-director of the Center for Men at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School. He and his family live in Massachusetts.

Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School over two decades, Real Boysexplores this generation's "silent crisis": why many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can we help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression, love and sexuality, drugs and alcohol, divorce, and violence.

“Just as Reviving Ophelia opened our eyes to the challenges faced by adolescent girls, Real Boys helps us hear and respond to the needs of growing boys.” —Judith Jordan, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School

Featuring a new preface by the author on how parents can make a difference.

Featuring a new preface by the author on how parents can make a difference.

With author appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, 20 /20 and NPR's Fresh Air, and featuring articles in Newsweek, Time, and The New York Times, Real Boys is one of the most talked-about and influential books published this year.

Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School over two decades, Real Boys explores why many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can we help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression, love and sexuality, drugs and alcohol, divorce, and violence.

Author’s Note Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction: Listening to Boys’ Voices: Rescuing Ophelia’s Brothers Part One Real Boys 1. Inside The World Of Boys: Behind The Mask Of Masculinity 2. Stories of Shame and the Haunting Trauma of Separation: How we can Connect with Boys and Change the “Bov Code” 3. Real Boys: The Truths Behind the Myths 4. Action Love: How Boys Relate Part Two Connecting to Boys 5. The Power Of Mothers 6. Real Fathers/Real Men: The Empathic Relationships of Fathers and Sons 7. The Adolescent Crucible: Growth, Change and Sexuality 8. The World of Boys and Their Friendships 9. Being “Different”: Being Gay 10. Schools: The Blackboard Jumble 11. Sports: Play and Transformation Part Three When the Bough Breaks 12. Hamlet’S Curse: Depression and Suicide in Boys 13. Violence: Slay or be Slain 14. Divorce Part Four Staying Connected: Real Boys/Real Men Epilogue: The “Real Boy” Code—Revising The Boy Code and Staying Connected Sources Bibliography Index "Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School for more than two decades, Real Boys explores this generation's "silent crisis": why so many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really experiencing, says Pollack, can parents and teachers help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression and violence, drugs and alcohol, sexuality and love. Book jacket."--Jacket Based on author Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School over two decades, this book explores why many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can we help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression, love and sexuality, drugs and alcohol, divorce, and violence.--From publisher description Drawing on his nearly two decades of clinical work with and research on boys, a psychiatrist offers a groundbreaking study of the toll taken by the masculine imperative on boys and a plan for raising happier, more grounded males. Reprint. 100,000 first printing. Tour. Adam is a fourteen-year-old boy whose mother sought me out after workshop I was leading on the subject of boys and families.