The Men They Will Become: The Nature and Nurture of Male Character

Rating:
Summary: An extraordinarily helpful read
Review: I heard Dr. Newberger interviewed on NPR and rushed right out to get this book. I was not disappointed. I could tell from the NPR interview that he cared deeply about the welfare of boys and his book bears this out. I have passed the book on to other mothers of boys and have suggested it to anyone who wants to better understand their son. Even more than helping to figure out our boys, this book offers concrete, workable ideas to help the boys themselves deal with daily struggles and frustrations. I cannot begin to tell you how powerful it was for my son to be able to look the school bully straight in the eyes, use well thought out words and stand his ground, shoulders back. The bully backed down and my son was empowered in a healthy way. These techniques and advice came straight from this book. My son and I went out for hamburgers one night and read some of the passages, which gave him these insights. It wasn't just his mom telling him the usual "just ignore him." I also much appreciated the section on discussing sexuality...to give my son a better perspective on transferring his sexual ideas to a "real live girl." This book has been invaluable to our household. My 5th grade son, a new kid in his school, has benefitted from Dr. Newberger's wisdom and insight. I am so glad to have logical, sensible guidance in the war against the "culture of cruelty."

Rating:
Summary: An Affirming Book, Wonderfully Written
Review: I read this book thinking it would be a rather standard tome on the endangerment of the male adolescent in society. I was pleasantly surprised, then, to find Newberger's approach to the subject of the male character both thorough and non-sensationalist. Beginning with infancy, the author does a wonderful job charting the development of character in boys (although much of the information can be applied to girls as well - the language is far from exclusionary). Newberger also possesses a supportive attitude toward parents and charts the familial and societal pressures faced by them while illustrating how this affects parenting ability and skill. Rather than definite stages, the book is divided into topics like "curiosity", "teasing and bullying", and "play and sports". The result is like a well-done essay series but without the repetition or wandering that often accompanies that type of volume. The best thing about this book is Newberger, though; his loving and supportive attitude toward children and their parents envelops you while not being cloying or patronizing. He is a wonderful resource and advocate for boys, and girls, of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: An Affirming Book, Wonderfully Written
Review: I read this book thinking it would be a rather standard tome on the endangerment of the male adolescent in society. I was pleasantly surprised, then, to find Newberger's approach to the subject of the male character both thorough and non-sensationalist. Beginning with infancy, the author does a wonderful job charting the development of character in boys (although much of the information can be applied to girls as well - the language is far from exclusionary). Newberger also possesses a supportive attitude toward parents and charts the familial and societal pressures faced by them while illustrating how this affects parenting ability and skill. Rather than definite stages, the book is divided into topics like "curiosity", "teasing and bullying", and "play and sports". The result is like a well-done essay series but without the repetition or wandering that often accompanies that type of volume. The best thing about this book is Newberger, though; his loving and supportive attitude toward children and their parents envelops you while not being cloying or patronizing. He is a wonderful resource and advocate for boys, and girls, of all ages.