Customer Reviews

The War Against Boys: Christine Hoff Sommers

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According to Dr. Christina Hoff Summers, this is an era when academic reformers are looking to improve the lot of girls, who are perceived to be being crushed within an oppressive patriarchal system, and to improve the nature of boys, who are perceived to be culturally programmed to be oppressors and sexual predators of females. She begins the book by comparing the myth of the "fragile girl" with the actual statistics, which show that boys are the sex most in danger of failure in our present atmosphere. Then, she goes on to examine the philosophy of the groups that have the most influence within the education establishment, and what they actually say and are doing.

I first heard about this book recently, while watching the show 60 Minutes, and I rushed out to get it. I have read many books that I found unsettling, but this is the first one that I can actually say that I found alarming! The extremist views espoused by influential educators and politicians reminded me of the views I have seen attributed to chauvinistic nineteenth century men talking about women. Truly, these are the bad old days.

My one complaint about this book is that the author does not present any suggestions for steps that can be taken to counter the influence of these people. But, that said, this is a very good book, one that I suggest any parent of a boy should get.