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As the #MeToo movement works to give women and girls a greater voice, it is also bringing new attention to how boys are raised and the pressures they face. According to research, 30% of high school boys say they have been in a fight. The latest data also shows boys are more likely to take their own lives than girls. Psychologist Michael Reichert joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss his new book, How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men.
Highlights:
Reichert identifies some of the messages boys receive including the heavily prescriptive “Man Box” possible determinations:
- Aggression
- Hypersexuality
- Self-Sufficiency
- Control
- Attractiveness
Boys are told to hide behind the mask of masculinity: “Don’t show that you’re nervous or scared even when you are.”
Raising Sons:
- Advocate
- Connect
- Encourage Expression
- Exercise Authority
- Promote Autonomy
What we know from research is it is not the experience of emotions that are different between men and women, boys and girls; its the expression. The expression follows feeling rules that we culturally prescribe.
“Special Time“
- Reinforce Support
- Offer Attention
- Consistent Day and Time
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Photo credit: Shutterstock
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