Raising Boys: Why Boys Are Different - and How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men [Paperback]

Steve Biddulph (Author), Paul Stanish (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 1, 2008

A friendly and practical guide to the stages and issues in boys'¬? development from birth to manhood.

From award-winning psychologist Steve Biddulph comes an expanded and updated edition of RAISING BOYS, his international best seller published in 14 countries. His complete guide for parents, educators, and relatives includes chapters on testosterone, sports, and how boys' and girls' brains differ. With gentle humor and proven wisdom, RAISING BOYS focuses on boys' unique developmental needs to help them be happy and healthy at every stage of life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; 2 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158761328X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587613289
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Australian family therapist Biddulph (Manhood) joins the chorus of counselors calling for a focused, supportive approach to parenting boys. Citing such gender specific risks facing boys as a higher percentage of learning disabilities to greater threats of violence and suicide, Biddulph maps out parenting strategies for three distinct stages of growth, from birth to six years, from six to 14, and from 14 to adult. Choosing not to mince words, he advises fathers, for instance, "if you routinely work a fifty-five or sixty-hour week, including travel time, you just won't cut it as a dad." Citing studies that show boys are "more prone than girls to separation anxiety," he suggests keeping boys out of child care if possible before the age of three. He recommends delaying school entrance by a year to give boys time to develop fine motor skills, and calls sports a "double-edged sword" which, while enormously beneficial, can also encourage negative traits if sportsmanship is eclipsed by an obsession with winning. Biddulph delves into physiological matters, examining and explaining the role testosterone plays in shaping male children, and talking frankly about sexuality. Enhanced by plentiful sidebars, photos and cartoons, the material is presented in digestible chunks, and each chapter wraps up with a summary section, "In a Nutshell." This highly practical guide offers valuable perspectives to parents of both boys and girls.

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A friendly and practical guide to the stages and issues in boys' development from birth to manhood. * Updates include recent findings on hearing problems specific to boys, revised statistics, and a questionnaire to assist in finding boy-friendly schools.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; 2 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158761328X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587613289
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Biddulph is a world-famous family therapist. His Secret of Happy Children (published by Thorsons April 97) has sold more than a million copies and has been published in 15 languages.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 126 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book for understanding boys February 26, 2007

By Mom_in_CA

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book because it became clear to me that I do not understand my 3 year old son and I realized it would only become worse as he grew older if I didn't at least try to figure out what is going on from his perspective.

I think that this book really tells it like it is. He doesn't sugar coat it. I also think the person who took offense to his saying boys should stay out of daycare until 3 years old did not read the book very carefully. He does not say that mothers should not work, he says boys should not be put in institutionalized day care settings but that good home based day care or staying with a family member is acceptable. I've read this in other books as well that boys just don't do well in daycare they really need one on one close time with a single, consistent care-giver be it mom, dad, grandma or a home day care.

This book also says many times how it is not trying to put women down or trying to set back the women's movement, it is just trying to show how boys are different. I have already noticed this with my children. I have two girls and a boy and I quickly picked up that my son is 6 months to 12 months behind his older sister in his speaking, reasoning and his ABCs. I talked to his preschool teacher about it and was relieved to find out it is normal for boys to be behind girls and the teacher said exactly what this author says, boys catch up somewhere in middle school but until then they are 6-12 months behind girls emotionally and academically. My son has a September birthday and I will be holding him out a year to start kindergarten at 6 instead of 5. I have already seen it in his preschool class how boys are treated, unwillingly as defective girls.... Girls take to things like circle time and learning while boys would rather vroom cars and build block towers. I agree whole heartedly with the author that boys acting out in preschool is because they are anxious or stressed out. Girls withdraw when stressed, boys act out, often aggressively.

If you are ready to hear what this author says then buy the book. He is very strong on dad being a big part of a boys life and goes as far to say if dad is working 55 to 65 hours a week he won't cut it as a dad. This is hard stuff to hear, but if you want your son to grow up to be a good man it will take sacrifice on everyone's part. If we want our daughters to marry good men we need to make sure that we are raising good sons. Read more ›

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Revelations September 19, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is the BEST book I have read on raising boys. Biddulph writes in a clear, crisp voice making it easy for anyone to understand the fine art of being a male. He has made me realize how and why my husband and son are the same in some ways and very different in others. Girls are not ignored here, either. He compares and contrasts the two, so subtle differences are made just as obvious as the not-so-subtle ones. He takes time show why the two can act and/or react differently in the same situations. Everyone, especially teachers, should read this great book!

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, from a dad in the trenches September 25, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Biddulph is brilliant in this book...good tips, very insightful, written with compassion and in simple English...as the father of a teenage son I appreciate a clear roadmap like this..Other books I've found great lately on the subject of raising boys include: Real Boys (Pollack), about the myths of boys and how to overcome them; Raising a Son, which also has great basic advice, and some very insightful chapters in the PC Dads Guide to Becoming a Computer Smart Parent (Ivey), which talks about raising a son in the computer age.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars straightforward matter of fact look at boys and their needs. June 11, 1998

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

Steve Biddulf has written a number a books in the Australian/New Zealand context on Parenting. His words about Boys are simple and matter of fact. Boys will not grow up to be sound men without help. This help can only come from the input of sound Men [preferably dad]at critical times in a boys maturation. Mom's are very important but they can't teach a boy how to be a man, for that the boys need a safe, strong male to model. Steve Biddulf sets out to help Dad's and Mum's sort out, First - what does it really mean when we say 'boys will be boys'? Second - How can I assist, as a parent, in helping my son to become aware of his 'maleness' and then assisting him to become a sound, loving but not wimpy man. Third - he tackles the thorny issue of single mums raising a son, how does mum, who can't be a man, raise her son? First recognising she needs help, then sorting out what to do about it. His style is simple, funny and never patronising. He is pointing out a real problem and proposing from a wealth of clinical and parenting experience his matter of fact pathway through the minefield. I loved the book, though I didn't agree with everything init, it has helped me focus on how to plan my relationship with my son. If you get the chance to listen to him in the flesh take it he is very good.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars I've gotta disagree. April 9, 2012

By How could you?

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this title because so many people just raved and gushed over it. This book is daddy-centric. I'm a single mom and I don't discount the importance of having a good dad around, but this book really did not help me to understand my son or his behavior all that well... it just told me to find him some men to hang around with. Also, it did that by adding unnecessary -and annoying- exclamation points all over the place (!). I'm all for exclamation points, but they really don't need to be placed everywhere!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moms and Dads Must Read March 15, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Even if you are a man, this book is a MUST read for anyone who has a boy or works with boys (teachers, coaches, etc). My husband and I read this in anticipation of the birth of our boy (I am 6 months pregnant) and we can't stop discussing what we've learned!

Biddulph takes you through the key stages in a boy's development, explaining in an easy to read format what can be done to assist boys in learning and developing into healthy, happy people. He explains the difference between what girls need and what boys need and how to help boys reach their potential.

After you read this, you will be like us - you will be buying this for everyone you know who is around boys! The best I've read on the subject. Can't wait to read his other books...