Raising Sons Without Fathers: A Woman's Guide to Parenting Strong, Successful Boys [Hardcover]

Leif G. Terdal (Author), Patricia Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

Using real-life examples and case studies, the authors offer practical advice to single mothers on dealing with a variety of challenges involved in raising boys, from increasing their sons' self-esteem to doing "guy things" with them.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Birch Lane Pr (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559723424
• ISBN-13: 978-1559723428
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,693,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Raising Sons Without Fathers: A Woman's Guide to Parenting Strong, Successful Boys (Hardcover)

I have read alot of parenting books as well as grief books for children, and adults. I was widowed 3 years ago, my son was 5 at the time. The title of this book was "the nail on the head" of a subject matter in which I'm obviously very interested, my expectation was it would provide some new insights into my challenges. It did not provide me anything new past other books I have read, the advice seemed pretty elementary and basic, not scratching surface deep enough for me.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very negative toward single mothers raising sons., October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Raising Sons Without Fathers: A Woman's Guide to Parenting Strong, Successful Boys (Hardcover)

I have to admit, I did not finish it. By the time I read the first 10 pages, I was so depressed about what my son "was doomed to be" as a teenager/adult just because he is being raised by a single mom, I had to put it down. Our job at hand is tough enough without this negativity. I know that some statistics show we have a hard battle to wage, but a little encouragement would be nice. My advice to any single woman raising a son without his father...don't read this book. Try something positive like "Positive Discipline for Single Parents."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Two stars for good grammar and a bibliography, March 1, 2009

By 

MJK "MJK" (Great white north) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Sons Without Fathers: A Woman's Guide to Parenting Strong, Successful Boys (Hardcover)

Not only is this book general, is is vague. It appears that the authors wrote half of this book to vent about the lack of government handouts there are for single mothers. I live in one of the most liberal states in the country and they are right. There's precious little help for single mothers or fathers regardless of how they become single parents. Help is allusive and so is this book.

So what does one do? Get a job and get on with it. That's not why this books was given to me. It was to help me with understanding how to raise a good man without the regular presents of his father.

Instead of focusing on the issue of raising healthy sons, they wasted half the book on vague resources and political babble. In truth, had this been a research paper of mine when I was in university, I probably would have ended up with a C- at best.

When this book doesn't carry on with being politically bent (complaining about it is not helping the situation) and when it is not pointing out obsolete and vague resources, it's tell you how horrible your child's life is going to be and how difficult everything thing is going to be for him for the rest of his life.

It also played heavy on the idea that single mothers are all victims. OH PLEASE. There was absolutely nothing about this books that was positive or empowering.

Yes, single mothers and fathers have very limited time. We are busy people. I appreciate that the authors pointed this out.

The only thing that I find myself a victim of lately is this book. It also wasted my precious time. It's a good thing that I was running on the treadmill at they gym or I would have felt even more violated by this rubbish.

I am usually not so nasty when it comes to book reviews. These authors geared this book to people who are seeking help. They took my time and gave no information of any value. It would have been worse had I had to buy this thing or seek it out in the library. Fortunately it was given to me and picked out by a teacher at my son's private school. And yes, I pay 100% for that private school. Did I throw you stats off, authors?

Oh and if you are the least curious to see if this book contains but a kernel of information, here you go: keep your boys active in sports, nurture creativity, don't spank or slap or hit and try to talk to him. As for the resources, you would be better served checking out the bulletin board at your local social services office or WIC office.

Shame on the pair of you.