From Boys to Men: A Woman's Guide to the Health of Husbands, Partners, Sons, Fathers, and Brothers [Unknown Binding]

M.D., Emily Senay (Author), Rob Waters (Author), M.D., Eli Newberger (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2004

The first book on the health of boys and men designed for women -- the unsung heroes who make most families' health-care decisions -- From Boys to Men will forever dispel the notion that women are the weaker sex.

There is a shocking gap in health and longevity between males and females. Men die, on average, nearly six years earlier than women and have a higher mortality rate for all ten leading causes of death in America. Yet there is no known biological reason.

Perhaps the answer lies in social forces that teach men not to care for themselves, says author, physician, and CBS medical correspondent Emily Senay. Instead, caregiving falls to wives, partners, mothers, sisters, and daughters, who have never had a resource written specifically to help them understand and cope with the health issues of men and boys.

Until now. With an expert, intimate voice, Dr. Senay offers accessible, pragmatic information and anecdotes that follow males from conception through the arc of life. Mothers of sons will learn about the unique issues boys face as they grow, including:

• Health issues unique to baby boys

• The major health threats to boys -- accidents and injuries

• Understanding the higher risk of learning disabilities, including AD/HD and other developmental problems

• Weight issues and body image

• Knowing how and when to discuss sexuality

• Helping teenagers take healthy risks

• Understanding the new world of sports, including pressure for early specialization

For men, Dr. Senay covers such topics as:

• Helping him change -- how to work as partners to lose weight, improve diet, or quit smoking

• Helping your partner overcome denial, one of the biggest threats to men's health

• Solving bedroom problems

• Helping him lower cholesterol and blood pressure

• Recognizing and treating depression and stress

• Essential medical tests every man should have

• Snoring and the promise of rest

As a mother, wife, daughter -- and doctor -- Emily Senay shares her readers' concern for the men in their lives -- and provides the answers women have been waiting for. And as men take better care of themselves, the longevity gap will close as their sons learn by example.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The way to a man's health is through a woman, says CBS Medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay. From Boys to Men is an engaging, informative manifesto that urges every woman to become Dr. Mom. "Men begin life as more fragile beings, then compound it with attraction to risk, an aversion to self care and an arsenal of unhealthy habits," notes Senay. Culture is the culprit, and being raised as a man is dangerous to your health. For this reason, Senay begins with sons. Using lively case histories and bulleted checklists, she covers a compendium of critical issues including penis care, attention deficits, food fights, bully behavior, the smell of teen spirit, rules of the road, not inhaling, and safe sex. For women who sit at the grownups' table, with husbands, partners, and lovers, the goals are prevention and collaboration rather than nagging. Whether offering advice about symptom denial, finding good fats, or prostrate health, or recognizing warning signs of cancer, heart disease, alcoholism, and diabetes, Senay offers life-saving information. Some readers may challenge rather than accept the gender gap that creates male aversion to medical care. Senay might have devoted more ink to raising self-care-savvy sons--who learn the example of both parents--rather than underlining the idea that mother knows best. Whether you accept Senay's premise of men who will be boys and women as health-care educators, this is an insightful and readable resource. --Barbara Mackoff

From Publishers Weekly

Women shouldn’t have to make all the medical decisions for their families, yet according to authors Senay and Waters, women almost always become their families’ medical managers. And while this role creates "extra responsibilities, extra worry and a lot of extra stress," most women are willing to take it on because they want their husbands, fathers and sons "to live long, healthy lives." It is for such women that Senay (a medical correspondent for CBS News) and Waters (a former editor and writer for WebMD and Health magazine) have created this comprehensive laywoman’s reference guide to male health. Beginning with the development of the male fetus and ending with the typical medical conditions of middle-aged and elderly men, the book attempts to unveil the mysteries and confusion women may have about the opposite sex. Difficulty dealing with questions about sex from a curious preteen boy? Having trouble understanding the raging hormones of an adolescent son? "Take a deep breath, calm down," say Senay and Waters. Moms are advised to be composed and laid back when talking to their sons, creating an environment where they can share their feelings freely and without embarrassment. Frustrated with the cavalier attitude of an overweight husband? Chapter 10 teaches readers the six stages of change so that they can give the most helpful advice at the right time. Well organized, excellently researched and written in friendly, jargon-free prose, Senay and Waters’s book gives women the knowledge they need to help keep their loved ones healthy. Now, if only the authors would write a book for women about women as well.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 640 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1 edition (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743225945
• ISBN-13: 978-0743225946
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,420,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my wife bought it; i read it, April 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: From Boys to Men: A Woman's Guide to the Health of Husbands, Partners, Sons, Fathers, and Brothers

This might be the best medical book any family with boys could own. As a man, I've always ignored my medical problems, often waiting until a tiny medical condition reached a crisis point before addressing the problem. After my wife brought this book home, I picked it up and started reading. It is story driven and anecdotal, which made reading about potentially frightening medical conditions a lot easier. It was also examined the male fear of going to the docotor's office and has given me new insight into why it is important for me to change my habits so my son won't inherit them as well. It is comprehensive, but accessible. Thanks! Dr. Senay.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeper understanding of myself and my sons, April 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: From Boys to Men: A Woman's Guide to the Health of Husbands, Partners, Sons, Fathers, and Brothers

My wife left this book on my desk for me to read. It was more informative and helpful than I could have imagined and educated me on how to be a better father, not only in caring for my three sons but also for myself.

I was especially drawn to the emotional development of boys that gave me a deeper understanding of what my sons are going through as they develop into young men. Now I feel more confident in my parenting decisions.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, Engaging- A Major Contribution to the Literature, April 19, 2004

By 

Thea Bellos (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Boys to Men: A Woman's Guide to the Health of Husbands, Partners, Sons, Fathers, and Brothers

Dr. Emily Senay and Rob Waters have made a signficant contribution to the growing field of personal health care literature that demonstrates both the need for personal responsibility and the pursuit of knowledge for health-related decision making. Traditional family roles have been changing for quite some time and this book gives "a wake up call" to friends, partners and family members about the importance of understanding and coping with health issues that have both short- and long-term consequences for all involved.

The balance of available medical research and personal story is what makes this book different and special. The information is comprehensive,accessible and readable. The writing is well-researched, engaging and interesting. The resources are invaluable. It's a book that will sit prominently on my reference shelf.

Kudos for a timely and informative health resource!