Customer Reviews

The Good Son: A Complete Parenting Plan

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A refreshing concept in today's wasteland of corruption. Gurian tells how to raise boys with character, morals and old-fashioned values. Values much forgotten in the current quest for achievement and financial success. I like Gurian's book because it guides parents through trouble spots of child-rearing: early toddler years and on through young adulthood. A book one will refer to many times as the child develops. Another helpful approach to positive parenting is found in Father, Son, Three-Mile Run. Check it out. A great inspirational guide for parents. Both books recommended.

I can't say enough about Michael's work. All parents with boys need this information. All institutions need to to consider the model he offers. Mr. Gurian is a fabulous author as well as researcher. I worked in juvenile probation for 12 years and have been in private practice for 18 years. I now run four men's groups a week. Mr. Gurian certainly affirms all I have experienced and believe.

Michael Gurian has succeeded in providing the public with a book that captures the true essence of what it means to be a male in today's world. In The Good Son, he takes his readers on a journey from the moment of birth to adulthood. The present broadening state of violence in our schools and the increasing amount of youth committed crimes within our society, in general, begs the question--why? Gurian's latest book dares to answer this pervasive question that seemingly remains unresolved with each new shocking headline. The Good Son, skillfully answers a host of how's and why's. For example, how we as mentors, parents, relatives and teachers can help boys express their emotions in healthy ways. Gurian talks about the loss of moral literacy among boys and how we can help them develop moral codes. Whether one is connected to a boy or not, one should read this important and practical work by Michael Gurian.

"The Good Son" by Michael Gurian (a therapist and educator) is a book for parents designed with the intention of helping them raise a morally grounded son. Subtitled "Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men", I felt Mr. Gurian did a great job by dividing up the chapters into specific age groups (infant, toddler, teen, etc.). I am not inclined to read these types of books (self-help, how-to), but with heavy pressure from my fellow parents and their strong recommendations I'm sure glad I did. We are presented with the physical, emotional, and psychological growth that we can expect and how this will effect the behavior of our boy(s). The book is crammed with excellent examples - some quite inspiring - from Mr. Wolfe's practice as well as practical guides to discipline, "rules to live by", and the "range of normal". Despite the subtitle the book is not moralistic or preachy, but rather focuses on helping parents instill their own belief system into their child. In our politically correct world, I particularly enjoyed the explanations of the differences between boys and girls and how they interpret the world around them (they're different! Who knew?) Throughout the book, medical research is presented (some well known and some fairly recent) to back up his ideas. In our politically correct and gender neutral idealized society it is refreshing to hear someone unafraid to speak the obvious. Ultimately, the information is neither bound to dry medical text nor religious ideology, but rather, a very readable and fun resource for parents.

I purchased abridged version because this is my first audio book. I finished it in two days because it was such intelligently written reading. The author speaks very straightforwardly and in a logical progression that is easy to follow. I will buy the book now and pass these tapes along to a friend.

This book is suggested to anyone who has to raise a son in todays world. I have bought this book for 2 women raising boys. It has open a new world for me-the understanding of why my boy is the way he is. The author suggest structure and rules will help your young boy blossom into a confident young man. Ever chapter he touches on "the Range of Normal" which you can apply to your child at his age level.

In a world that's become so consumed with political correctness, it's refreshing to see a man who has the courage to use words like "morals" and "ethics." As the new father of a 7-month-old boy, I was excited to receive this book as a gift. Gurian eloquently, yet plainly, defines many of the problems facing our youth and society that I'd long suspected to be true -- problems much of mainstream America would just as soon ignore or pretend do not exist. In a world that has long embraced moral relativism, a voice of reason like Gurian's is long overdue. I only question Dr. Gurian's occasional assertions that delve into fields in which he may not be fully qualified (such as genetics, biology, religion, etc.). More than anything, Gurian draws attention to a topic we desperatley need to be contemplating.

This book helped me understand better how boys change during their life from early childhood to young adulthood. I looked back at how my own boys have developed and I discovered many things I was blissfully unware. I found also many useful educational tools in the book.

Michael Gurian has a very clear writing, sometimes he repeats himself, but with a good reason: one will revisit the book as the boy grows older to read sections that have a precise target. This is like a user manual on how to raise boys of any age.

The book is divided in four parts: overview of boys in comparison with girls from the point of view of psychology and neurobiology, early childhood (Age of Obedience), middle childhood (Age of Convention) and teenage years (Age of Intuition). The first part is mandatory reading, in my view. It does an excellent job at explaining why boys are different. You learn about brain structure, hormones and what they actually mean in terms of behaviour outcomes and education method. The other parts can be read when needed, although you should read the book entirely at least once, even if you boy is not in the age bracket discussed by a particular part.

The curious thing about the book is that it seems like an easy read, sometimes even dry, but the concepts are profound. I see clearly now where I made mistakes, not because of particular mishaps but because my errors in principle. Being a good parent, especially a good father, is much more than working hard long hours for the sake of family wealth. This is where the book is best and I am so glad I bought it. It has a well designed structure that maps our life cycle in the context of family, traditions, education with support from recent scientific research in sociology, psychology and neurobiology.


I liked how the main parts are sub-divided. The book has a rythm, a methodical approach so that you can see how the child evolves and how outcomes are created in the process. The subdivisions are: developmental milestones, discipline techniques, moral teaching and a healthy moral and emotional environment. The language is simple but powerful because the content has value and it is very concrete.

The author discusses how to handle issues like respect, language, rules, rituals, backtalk, chores, allowance, sex and drugs. I appreciated the fact that the book does not have empty, positive talk, but focuses a lot on identifying facts, issues and how to handle situations in a way that suits your background (father, mother, single parent, tutor).

This is the kind of book that makes it easy for you to want to come back and read it again, because when you need it, you will know precisely where to look and what to look for.

This book needs to be given to all new parents with boys as they leave the hospital along with "What To Expect The First Year". Well written and not just facts about boys, but examples and roadmaps for each stage of their life. With two sons, I am sure that I will continue to use this book over and over.

Gurian details the necessity to develop a keen understanding of what makes boys good, necessary in light of the current "crisis" situation with boys out of control: the shootings, rampages and sheer anger befalling our boys. Talk shows haven't answers to morality issues--gather your own info from caring professionals. Gurian outlines how to circumvent problems, explaining why boys seek limits, and that we must supply them. Boys' brains are different than girls' because they are mapped to make them attracted to more "hyper" things. They also thirst for order, and want us to provide it.