What's Happening To Our Boys
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 10:30AM
Dads on the Air in 2010, Boys / Rites of Passage, Boys' Education, Fatherlessness, Fathers and Sons, Gender & Masculinities, Raising Kids, Relationships, Shared Parenting, Young Men

With special guest:

Like a breath of fresh air, it was delightful to have Maggie Hamilton, celebrated author, teacher and publisher, join us on the program this week, to speak about her latest book ‘What’s Happening To Our Boys’ .    

With this new book, Maggie takes a good look into the trails and tribulations facing our boys and young men in the early part of the 21st century. As always, this well researched book is a must buy for today’s parents, who often find themselves struggling with the competing influences challenging the parenting of their sons.  

Maggie leaves no stone unturned, as she delves deep into how boys and young men deal with the many issues they face in a modern technological society, while also stressing the importance of a dad or other good male role model in their lives.  

Unfortunately Ken Thompson was unable to contact us to provide a scheduled update of his bicycle trip around Europe, where he is searching for his abducted son Andrew. However we look forward to hear the latest news of his experiences next week.  

On her website, Maggie explains it this way:    

While we face many personal and global challenges, ours is not a dark time. We are simply experiencing life differently. With the constant change come many opportunities.

So, let’s gather up the best of the past, and move forward by actively envisaging the future we long for in our homes, communities, and workplaces – in how we as men and women relate to each other, and in how we nurture our children.

Now is the perfect time to tackle the issues that erode who we are mind, body and spirit. Perhaps I can help you achieve this - through my monthly newsletter – my books, articles, interviews – or through my upcoming talks and workshops.

What kind of world are our boys to growing up in? Why are growing numbers of boys suffering body image and self-esteem problems? Why do they feel worthless without the latest branded toy, game or item of clothing? What makes soft drinks, snacks and fast foods so attractive?

Why are they drawn to countless acts of violence on TV, in movies and in computer games? What impact does our highly sexualised climate, our emphasis on success and money, have on them as they grow? And why are so many boys vulnerable to cyber bullying and to porn?

Childhood and teenage life is changing rapidly, leaving parents exhausted and confused as to how best to tackle the many issues they face. How does this high pressure environment affect a boy’s confidence, his values and aspirations, his wellbeing, his sense of community, his attitudes to girls and women?

 

Article originally appeared on Dads on the Air (http://www.dadsontheair.com.au/).
See website for complete article licensing information.